Sarah died at the age of one hundred and twenty-seven (Gn 23:1). Abraham, her husband, died forty-eight years later at the age of one hundred and seventy-five (Gn 25:7). God had promised Abraham that he would be the father of nations and receive the promised land. When Abraham died, he owned a few feet of the promised land which he purchased for Sarah's burial plot (see Gn 23:19). At his death, Abraham had only two grandchildren from Isaac, the only son from his marriage with Sarah. At Abraham's death, God's promises to Him seemed quite unfulfilled. In the eyes of men, Abraham's life seemed incomplete.
Jesus died at about the age of thirty-three. He revealed that He was the Savior of the world, the Lord of lords, and God Himself (Jn 20:28). Hardly anyone believed Him. Even His disciples abandoned Him to be executed on a cross. Jesus seemed to have failed in His mission.
The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed (Mt 13:31). It begins very small. It will eventually become a large bush, although that may occur years after your death. You may see only the tiniest fulfillment of God's promises and die an apparent failure. You will have to live by faith (2 Cor 5:7) and die by faith (Heb 11:21-22). At your death, you may not see the fruit of your life. Your only assurance may be that you loved the Lord. Love, repent, live, die, and believe.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I live by faith and die in Love. |
| PROMISE: | Jesus "said to him, 'Follow Me.' Matthew got up and followed Him." –Mt 9:9 |
| PRAISE: | Sue prayed over forty years for her children to return to the practice of their Catholic faith. She believed each day that God had heard her prayers and rejoiced to see God answer her prayers in full. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College