God Himself the Foundation of Our Hopes
T. Gasqucine, B. A. Genesis 22:16 And said, By myself have I sworn, said the LORD, for because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son: "By Myself have I sworn." By Himself God swears to us; by His power, His tenderness, His sympathy, He assures our hearts. 1. If we take up afresh any work for God, He is pledged — by Himself pledged to us — not to despise that work, to guide us in it, to accept it at our hands. 2. If we turn again to any cross — find the home darkened, or business difficult, or health still failing — if we find that holiday and rest do not sweep away the cloud: behind the cloud is God, strengthening for the cross is God, and by Himself He swears to us that, bearing that cross, it shall lead us to a crown. 3. If we are troubled by the dimness of the future, if perplexities thicken even as the years — and the responsibilities of the years — in-crease day by day, God is pledged — by Himself pledged — to guide every trustful follower. Only follow on to know the Lord. Why, beyond all that dim future there is heaven, our Father's home and ours. And every step between the little now and that bright home is as sure as is that home and as is this now. (T. Gasqucine, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: WEB: and said, "I have sworn by myself, says Yahweh, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son,