Today’s Reading: Genesis 11:27-12:9, Romans 4, Psalm 18

“Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” – Genesis 12:1-3

LEAVE AND GO WHERE I SHOW YOU TO GO.

This first element of God’s promise required more than just initial obedience, it required continual obedience and submission — daily following wherever God led. Abram did not just travel to one place and stay. Genesis 12:9 says that he traveled south in stages. Every time God told Abram to pack up camp and move to the next place, Abram obeyed. And in each place, Abram set up an altar, dedicated that place to the Lord, and worshiped God.

This same submission is required of me today. It is not enough that I followed obediently yesterday; I must continue to follow in obedience today. When God moves me or puts me in a new situation, I can follow Abram’s example and dedicate today’s destination to God. I can worship Him where I am today, with the willingness to worship Him in different circumstances tomorrow. Abram did this and received confirmation of the promise God had given him.

I WILL MAKE YOU INTO A GREAT NATION AND BLESS YOU.

This promise had great significance to Abram because his wife, Sarai, had been unable to become pregnant and they had no children. Sometimes God’s promise does not make sense to us at the moment. But we can learn the same lesson that Abram and Sarai learned — when God makes a PROMISE, we can trust Him for PROVISION.

So if God was promising descendants, Abram simply needed to trust that God would provide a way. So as I read through this scripture, I am reminded that accepting God’s promise requires daily obedience and a willingness to follow God wherever He leads. And it also requires a great deal of faith.

YOU WILL BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS. ALL THE FAMILIES ON EARTH WILL BE BLESSED THROUGH YOU.

This promise was not just about Abram and for the benefit of Abram; it was much larger than that. There were so many other people who would be blessed through this promise, so many others relying on Abram’s faith in God and his decision to obey.

Who is relying on our faithful obedience today? Are we living with the realization that our decisions today could affect someone else tomorrow? Is our faith growing stronger each day, unwavering in our confidence that God’s promises prove true every time?

Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God. – Romans 4:20-25

I WILL BLESS THOSE WHO BLESS YOU AND CURSE THOSE WHO TREAT YOU WITH CONTEMPT.

God promised PROTECTION to Abram, as well as guardianship of His promise. Abram did not have to make sure that God would keep His promise. He did not have to remind God of the word He had spoken; it was unnecessary for Abram to fear that God would forget the covenant He had made. God was faithful — faithful to provide and faithful to protect.

I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. – Psalm 18:1-2

God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true.
He is a shield to all who look to him for protection.
For who is God except the Lord?
Who but our God is a solid rock?
God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect.
He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.
He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.
You have given me your shield of victory.
Your right hand supports me; your help has made me great.
You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping. – Psalm 18:30-36

Oh Lord, we thank you for your promises. May we respond in obedience to your call on our lives, just as Abram did. May we trust you for our protection and for every blessing in life. Remind us today, oh Lord, of your many promises. Remind us that everything good in our life is not a result of our own effort, but evidence of your PROMISE, your PROTECTION and your PROVISION. Amen.