17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. (Hebrews 11)
Everyday usage of the word "considerate" makes us think "nice guy." Though that is usually the case, the word goes beyond that in scope. The preacher here returns to say more about Abraham, the "father of faith" and all the things he "considered". He took into account God's promises, the ultimate power of God, and the influence of his decisions on those to come after him. God had kept all His promises to that point, as is indicated in the name change he had gone through, and all the possessions he had accumulated. He had seen God's power, which he, long before Christ, believed included the power of life and death. And he considered that the promises were not just for him, but for generations to come. All three of these are things we often fail to "consider", to remember, to weigh in our daily decisions. May we consider them fully today.
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