The Covenant of the Land

God told Abram that he would inherit the land of Canaan. Abram replied, "How shall I know that I will inherit it?" So God told Abram to divide a heifer, goat and ram and sacrifice a turtledove and young pigeon. When the sun went down, a deep sleep, horror and darkness fell upon him. Then God told Abram that his descendants would be strangers in another land (Egypt) and be afflicted for 400 years. Then He would bring them back and give them the land of Canaan.

God's promises would not be fulfilled without affliction. Likewise, the Lord has promised to always be with us in this life and to take us to the place He has prepared for us. But our lives here are not without affliction. Indeed, Jesus promised that in this world we will have tribulation (John 16:33). But we are to take courage, for He has overcome the world.

How do you respond to affliction? Does is ever cause you to doubt God's promises?