God called Abraham at the age of 75 for a special mission. He told him that he would have a son, live to be very old, and die in peace. He was warned that all that befell him in between would not all be good.

Okay, we think he had good genes, since his father, Terah, lived to be 205. Easy faith. But Abram didn't know about genetics. He had probably seen many 30-year-olds die. Tough faith. That is what Abram had.

Years pass. Still unanswered prayer. Long-term faith. Abram is given the promise again, and he and Sarai are given new names-Abraham and Sarah. Finally the long-awaited dream and promise is fulfilled. Isaac is born. Abraham's enduring faith sustained him for he knew God would do as He said.

The trust between God and Abraham was so strong that Abraham was willing to tie his growing son to the sacrificial altar. Was not God tempering Abraham all those years so Abraham could help me hang on to faith today? He tells us His word was settled in heaven. I believe it.

My covenant will I not break nor altar the thing
that is gone out of my lips.
-Psalm 38:34