SCRIPTURE: “Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God” (Genesis 21:33 ESV).
OBSERVATION: After making a covenant of peace with Abimelech, Abraham settled at Beersheba and marked this new beginning by planting a tamarisk tree. Abraham publicly worshiped Yahweh in the land God had promised him. The tamarisk, a slow-growing, long-living tree, symbolized stability, peace, and confident hope in God’s future promises. Abraham then called on the name of the LORD—Yahweh, the covenant-keeping “I AM”—revealing his personal and growing relationship with God. In this moment, God was also revealed as El Olam, the Everlasting God, emphasizing that while human lives and circumstances change, God remains eternally faithful. Through this simple act of worship, Abraham demonstrated that his faith was not hidden but openly displayed before the surrounding peoples, rooted in his confidence in the unchanging character of God.
APPLICATION: We are reminded that our faith, like Abraham’s tamarisk tree, is meant to be deeply rooted and long-lasting. When we call on the name of the LORD, we are not just praying privately; we are declaring publicly that our hope rests in the Everlasting God. In a world of shifting values and uncertain futures, we choose to anchor our lives in Yahweh, the great “I AM,” who never changes. We also remember that God reveals Himself more fully as we walk with Him, just as He did with Abraham. As we keep growing in our knowledge of God through His Word and through His Son, Jesus, we become more confident to live out our faith wherever He has placed us. When we worship openly, trust deeply, and live boldly for Him, we show that we are truly rooted in the Everlasting God.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You that You are the Everlasting God who never changes. Help us to be rooted deeply in You. Teach us through Your Word and through Your Son to know You better and to live our faith openly and confidently before others. Grow us into people whose lives openly put on display Your name and Your gospel. In Jesus’ name, amen.