File: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db940210.txt
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          OUR DAILY BREAD                     Thursday, February 10, 1994
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          Read:  Hebrews 11:1-16

                                      BY FAITH

                              These all died in faith,
                          not having received the promises.
                                   --Hebrews 11:13

          Every day Lisa and David Holden asked God for a baby. She  writes
          that they prayed "sometimes with bitter disappointment, sometimes
          with  a  confidence that seemed infallible,  and  sometimes  with
          frustration   and  a  hurt  so  deep  it  ached."  Lisa   finally
          conceived, and 4-year-old Peter now brightens their lives.

          Lisa and David had close friends who also wanted  children.  They
          too  prayed  fervently about  their  situation.  Eventually  they
          decided  to adopt but were told they were too old.  Both  couples
          prayed in faith.  One request was granted; the other was denied.

          In  Hebrews 11:11 we read, "By faith Sarah herself also  received
          strength  to conceive."  But in contrast, when the  apostle  Paul
          prayed that his unidentified "thorn in the flesh" be removed from
          him, the Lord responded, "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Cor.
          12:9),  and the "thorn" remained.  Even Christ Himself prayed  to
          His heavenly Father that the cup of agony awaiting Him at Calvary
          might be taken from Him, but He added, "Nevertheless not My will,
          but Yours, be done" (Luke 22:42).

          O  Lord, whether or not our deepest longings and  most  desperate
          prayers are granted, our faith is in You.  Help us to desire Your
          will above all else.  Amen.

          Author:  David C. Egner

                        I prayed -- the answer long deferred
                           Brought not the thing I sought;
                          He answered better than my plea,
                             Yes, better than my thought
                                       --Anon.


          THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 
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          When God's answer is negative, 
          His reason is affirmative.

          The Bible in One Year:  Leviticus 5-7

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