Readings for Sunday, August 7, 2022. The Lord promises us a bright, eternal future. He promises to safely bring us to heaven. His promises are what create and sustain our faith.
In our Old Testament Lesson we back up a bit from the previous two encounters with Abraham. In our reading, Abraham’s name hasn’t even been changed yet from Abram. Abram is still waiting for God to fulfill His long-standing promise to give him a son and heir. So much hinged on that promise, since God had promised that Abram would have a nation of descendants more numerous than the stars, and that through his son’s line one day the Saviour would come. Abram needed reassurance—and God gave it. “Abram believed in the Lord, and the Lord credited it to him as righteousness.”
Our Epistle Lesson comes from the Bible’s “Great Faith Chapter,” Hebrews 11, especially the verses that talk about Abraham’s faith. “Faith is being sure about what we hope for, being convinced about things we do not see. 2For by this faith the ancients were commended in Scripture. … 11By faith Abraham also received the ability to conceive children, even though Sarah herself was barren and he was past the normal age, because he considered him faithful who made the promise. 12And so from one man, and he as good as dead, descendants were born as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand along the seashore.”
The Gospel Lesson picks up right where we left off last week. After telling the story of the Rich Fool, Jesus tells His disciples they have nothing to worry about. If God clothes the flowers of the field so beautifully, how much more will He take care of us.
Our sermon this week will focus on the Old Testament Lesson: “Do Not Be Afraid” 1. “I Am Your Shield” 2. “I Am Your Very Great Reward”
This Week’s Lessons:
Genesis 15:1–6
Hebrews 11:1–3, 8–16
Luke 12:22–34
Psalm 121