" I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. "
(Acts 7:32)
This is the last of the thirty exact matches of this text found in the Bible. The order never changes; it is always this sequence. As I was meditating on this verse today I asked myself, "Does God say, "I am the God of Richard Sandlin?" How about you?
There is a sad text in the Holy Scriptures that tells us that God will say to many, on that great and final day, "I never knew you." But by the same token there are those we are told, "...wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God." These three God was not ashamed to own, as His own! It is written that many who are ashamed of Him now He will be ashamed of them then. "For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels."
I have come to believe there is a spiritual significance in the order of this trio of men. Let me list my reasons. The one trait that stood out in each life, that characterized them and how I think it applies to us New Testament saints.
ABRAHAM- A life of faith. From first to last and all in between, his was a walk of faith. And Paul tells us we are to follow him. "... walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham."
ISAAC- Surrendering to his father’s will. He was not a child at the time of his father offering him up, but a man, possibly in his 30's. He could have resisted his father’s will. But as the greater said, "Father ... not what I will, but as thou wilt."
Jacob- Perseverance! Not preservation, but perseverance. The former has to do with God's side, the latter, ours. Say what you will about Jacob, but he wouldn't give up or give in. He kept on till the end! Interestingly the word "continue," is often associated with the saints in the New Testament.
"Now abideth faith, surrender, and perseverance, these three; but the greatest of these is- ALL THREE!
(rds)
By An Old Disciple
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