Universal Utterings®
for May 14, 2024
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05-14-2024 Sirach 44 V1921 Abraham kept glory without stain covenant observed
The Book of Sirach Ch 44 v- 19 thru 21
19 ABRAHAM, father of many peoples, kept his glory without stain: 20 He observed the Most High’s command, and entered into a covenant with him; In his own flesh he incised the ordinance, and when tested was found loyal. 21 For this reason, God promised him with an oath to bless the nations through his descendants, To make him numerous as grains of dust, and to exalt his posterity like the stars, Giving them an inheritance from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
In the context of the Abrahamic faiths, particularly Christianity, Abraham is often regarded as a foundational figure of faith and a precursor to the Salvation narrative that is fully expressed through Jesus Christ. To understand this perspective, let’s explore the biblical narrative and its theological significance:
The Abrahamic Covenant: In the book of Genesis, particularly in chapters 12, 15, 17, and 22, God makes a series of promises to Abraham. These promises include making Abraham the father of a great nation, blessing him, making his name great, and blessing all the families of the earth through him (Genesis 12:2-3). This covenant is unconditional and is based solely on God’s faithfulness.
Absolute Righteousness by Faith: In Genesis 15:6, it is stated that “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” This verse is pivotal because it demonstrates that Abraham’s righteousness before God was not based on his works or adherence to the law (which had not yet been given), but on his faith in God’s promises.
Precedent for Salvation by Faith: In the New Testament, the apostle Paul refers back to Abraham’s example to argue that Salvation is by faith and not by works of the law. In Romans 4, Paul explains that Abraham was justified by faith before he was circumcised and before the law was given to Moses. This makes Abraham the father of all who believe, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.
Symbol of Faithful Obedience: The event of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac, as recounted in Genesis 22, is seen as a test of Abraham’s faith and obedience to God. This act is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of God’s own sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, for the Salvation of humanity.
Father of Many Nations: God’s promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore (Genesis 22:17) speaks to the multitude of people who would come to be part of the faith tradition stemming from Abraham. This promise extends beyond the physical descendants of Abraham to include all who share in the faith of Abraham.
Unity of Scripture: For Christians, the Bible is seen as a cohesive narrative where Old Testament events and figures point towards the fulfillment of God’s plan in the New Testament. Abraham’s story is particularly significant as it lays the foundation for all to believe in the righteousness that exudes from Jesus as the Savior of the world. From the very beginning God has always had His own design for the Redemption of sins living and embracing the ability to live forever in Heaven Redeemed! Amen.
Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.
At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.
I am a poet obedient to Christ,
Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins
Practice. Pray. Proclaim. ®
†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®
Ephesians 6:17-20
05-14-2024 Sirach 44 v-1921
**Abraham’s Covenant with God**
In the fabric of time, before nations took shape,
In silence profound, where the world lay agape,
There walked a man, of faith so grand,
Abraham he was, on Canaan’s strand.
With a heart devout, to the heavens he gazed,
Upon the Most High, his eyes were amazed,
A call he received, a divine command,
To bind with God, a covenant grand.
“Leave thy home,” the Almighty decreed,
“To a land I shall show, follow my lead,
For I shall make thee, a father most famed,
And through thee, shall my people be named.”
In the realm of the stars, a promise was sown,
To Abraham, standing so humble, alone,
“Look skyward,” said God, “and try if you can,
To count the stars,” a measureless span.
“So shall your offspring, forever be,
As numerous as stars, for all to see,
A people of faith, from you they’ll rise,
To inherit the earth, under these skies.”
And down to the shore, where the waters kissed land,
God spoke once more, his voice so grand,
“Behold the grains, on the seashore vast,
Your descendants shall be, as countless and cast.”
An oath was sworn, a future foretold,
A lineage of faith, would soon unfold,
From Isaac to Jacob, the tribes took form,
A nation conceived, through a covenant born.
A patriarch thus, Abraham became,
Of a multitude vast, too grand to name,
His faith like seeds, in the earth’s embrace,
Grew into peoples, of diverse grace.
Through trials and years, his lineage spread,
By the promised oath, they were surely led,
To worship the High, in reverence and fear,
Their patriarch’s God, forever near.
Now history whispers, of Abraham’s trust,
A tale of devotion, from dust to dust,
For he is the father, of many a throng,
Who heed God’s command, and to whom they belong.
Blessed be the man, who heard the call,
And walked with God, giving his all,
From him sprang forth, a celestial band,
As numerous as stars, and the grains of sand. Amen.
© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins
May 14, 2024 @ 04:44 AM EST
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