Devotionals by Raul Ries

THURSDAY March 26, 2026

Blessed By Faith

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.
Hebrews 11:20-22

Faith, faith, faith!  We need to live lives like these patriarchs––by faith. By faith, Isaac blessed both of his sons’ futures. Although, Jacob took the firstborn birthright of his brother by deception:

...may God give you of the dew of heaven, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be master over your brethren, and let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be those who bless you!” (Genesis 27:28-29).

Jacob, whose name means “heel catcher” (whose name was changed by God to Israel, meaning “governed by God”) when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph. As he worshiped, still leaning on the top of his staff, Jacob blessed the younger son, Ephraim, before his brother:

“God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has fed me all my life long to this day, the Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; let my name be named upon them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth” (Genesis 48:15-16).

By faith, what else did Jacob tell Joseph? “Behold, I am dying, but God will be with you and bring you back to the land of your fathers” (Genesis 48:21). Then, by faith, Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel from their bondage in Egypt. He knew they would depart, and he wanted them to carry his bones with them (Genesis 50:25). May we, too, by faith, believe in the promises of God.

Our faith is an astounding thing-astounding that I should believe him to be the Son of God who is suspended on the cross, whom I have never seen, with whom I have never become acquainted.
~Martin Luther~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!