DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
MARCH 9, 2026
READ: Genesis 25 (Focus vs. 7-11)
MEMORY VERSE
“Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years.” Genesis 25:8
BACKGROUND
Thirty years ago, I participated in an activity at an unemployment workshop that I still remember today. My fellow laid-off coworkers and I were asked to write our retirement speeches. Huh?
We were looking for work and far from retirement age. But the facilitator revealed the purpose of the activity by saying, “Your speech will probably have little to do with your work.”
She explained to us that a job really isn’t the center of our lives. And while we may be grieving the loss of a job, our lives mean much more than being employed.
The details about the end of Abraham’s life remind me of this lesson. He died at a “ripe old age” and had lived a “long and satisfying life” (Genesis 25:8 nlt). Throughout Scripture, we read about Abraham’s faithfulness in following God’s instructions, but we don’t read much about his work.
The faith the patriarch displayed (15:6) reminds me of the Teacher’s conclusion in Ecclesiastes: “To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness” (2:26).
The Teacher said this after considering the meaning of life and how one can find enjoyment in the midst of work or toil (vv. 24-25).
Even during times of loss and anxiety brought by unemployment, it’s helpful to reflect on Abraham’s example and the Teacher’s words—pointing us to true satisfaction found only in God.
Katara Patton
INSIGHT
Abraham’s faith journey began when he was seventy-five years old: “Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran” (Genesis 12:4).
He took his last breath one hundred years later: “Abraham lived for 175 years, and he died at a ripe old age, having lived a long and satisfying life. He breathed his last and joined his ancestors in death” (25:7-8 nlt).
What a beautiful end-of-life scene! Yet, while Abraham’s dying “at a ripe old age” or “full of years” (niv) was an accomplishment, he’s most known for being “fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:21).
One doesn’t have to be full of years to be full of faith. Today, as we experience times of loss and hardship, our true quality of life and satisfaction comes from faith in the living God, who has revealed Himself in Jesus.
Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
What do you believe you’ll be known for? How does focusing on your legacy help you live today?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“…our true quality of life and satisfaction comes from faith in the living God, who has revealed Himself in Jesus.”
PR’s TAKE
“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him” John Piper
PRAYER
“Dear God, please remind me to live faithfully as I walk with You—experiencing satisfaction in Your presence.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“I AM THINE O LORD”
I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord…
O, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God,
I commune as friend with friend!
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord…
There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
