Everything seemed against Abraham's dream of a son and descendants. He and his wife were old, and their lives were drawing to a close. They had left their ancestral land long ago. This was the very moment that God demonstrated to Abraham that the promise made to him would be fulfilled. He was told that his descendants would be more numerous than the stars in the heavens and the sand on the seashore. God promised, and God delivered - God can be trusted. When we are discouraged, we need to remember that God promised to be with us always and to walk by our side. God will never forget us or let us down.

Paul insisted that we are meant for heaven - our citizenship is in heaven. We are to live attuned to heaven even while here on earth, rather than conforming ourselves to the ways of the world. Our heaven begins here in this life. The Apostles were dazzled and fearful because of the uniqueness and splendour of Jesus transfiguration and also His conversation with Moses and Elijah. Peter wanted to build shrines and cling to the experience. But it was clear that the conversation that Jesus had was concerned with his suffering and death in Jerusalem and his return to God. The call to love and service is not an easy one, and it will sometimes involve suffering, but it will also be accompanied by the glory and power of God and His love.