God Has A Blessing For You

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”    (Ephesians 1:3 NIV)

God has given us earthly families. We feel special within our tribes, and there’s a comfort we experience with those we call family.

God selected a group to be special to Him. The descendants of Abraham are referred to as God’s chosen people. This doesn’t mean they’re better than others – but that God chose them to be conduits through which the rest of humanity might be blessed with a relationship with Him.

Genesis is a book of beginnings.

Chapters 1 & 2 record the Creation account.

Chapter 3 documents the entrance of SIN into the world.

Chapters 4-11 reveal the ongoing rebelliousness of humankind against the Lord God and its effects on the generations that followed.

THE LORD COULD HAVE GIVEN UP – but He didn’t!

There continues to be ongoing rebelliousness of humankind against the Lord God. The effects of sin have been passed down through the generations but . . .

GOD STILL HASN’T GIVEN UP ON HIS CREATION.

Here’s a wonderful fact about our Creator-God. He is also our Redeemer-God.

As Redeemer we learn about His lavish mercy, love, and grace. These qualities give confidence to those who trust Him, knowing and believing He does all things right and well.

This story of redemption, restoration, and reconciliation begins with the record in Genesis chapter 12 with the call of Abraham from Sumerian paganism to faith in the living Lord God.

God chose, and Abraham responded with unbridled faith. God gave him a set of unconditional promises. He would have innumerable descendants and bring blessings to all nations.

Abraham left the heritage of his past, his homeland, and his clan to claim a new future. Even though he was not certain about that FUTURE, he left it all. Furthermore – the future of his own family line appeared bleak for he had no offspring to perpetuate his name. He was troubled and fearful. However, God called for him to trust Him.

As time went on, this faithful man continued to be troubled that he had no heir, even though God promised that he would. He trusted, remained trustworthy, and obeyed while in the midst of unsettling circumstances – WITH NO PROOF THAT GOD WOULD DO WHAT HE SAID HE WOULD DO.

Every story has a beginning, and ours begins with Abraham.

In Old Testament times, God made a covenant with His people through an individual. (Last week’s blog explored the life of Noah. This week we take a look at the journey of  Abraham’s life.)

God’s Covenant to a select group of people through Abraham - was a pledge and a promise to bring this designated people group to Himself for relationship and joy.

Imagine Abraham as “the root” of the church. Through a covenant (a promise pledged) God chose him to be the leader of his “chosen ones”.

God’s love-relationship with a designated group began through Abraham.

Then, many years later, a new covenant was issued, and the GOD-MAN JESUS, was The One God chose to carry it out.

Who are these people that God, through Jesus has designated to be a part of this promise?

ALL WHO BELIEVE!

For this reason Christ is the one who arranges a new covenant, so that those who have been called by God may receive the eternal blessings that God has promised (Hebrews 9:15 GNT.)

We as believers in Jesus have been grafted into this eternal promise of God – one of relationship, joy, and living with Him throughout eternity.

Through Abraham, our Old Testament brother, we see a worthy model for all of us who are now called out as the people of God, to share His promises and bring blessing to our world.

For Abraham, God’s call was personal, simple, and direct. He simply told him. . . GO FROM YOUR LAND. 

To obey that call, meant that Abraham had to respond with action and obedience.

For us, the same is true. God’s call on our life is personal, simple, and direct. We are called to believe that God is who He says He is, and to believe that His Son Jesus has saved us from the wrath of God through His shed blood on the cross.

And then when we believe, we are to live our lives in holy living – trusting and obeying God as He directs us throughout our individual journeys.

God challenged Abraham to trust and obey Him, in the promise of a new land and many descendants.

 Abraham began his journey before seeing the end result of God’s promise.

The Lord typically reveals His plan for our lives progressively rather than all at once. If we saw it all, we would likely be frightened at the plan. Just as with Abraham, God wants us to obey and trust Him and act by faith. THAT IS PART OF THE PLAN.

In fact. . . the JOURNEY may be the most important part.

Think It Over

Is there something the Lord is calling you to do? Maybe it’s to step out of your comfort zone to do or say something. Maybe it’s to make an extreme sacrifice. Maybe it’s to lead a Bible study or to make a phone call to a friend and offer help.

Any of these things (and others) may cause you anxiety and cause you to doubt your ability to do something that is perhaps uncomfortable for you.

COULD IT ACTUALLY BE A TEST FROM GOD TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT YOU LOVE HIM ENOUGH TO TRUST HIM TO LEAD YOU?

Maybe. And if so, how do you find the strength to answer the call?

Simply step out in obedience by faith.

Plant a scripture in your mind to keep you strong and encouraged.

Move forward, taking God at His word that He will be with you and enable you to do what He is calling you to do.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD God is the eternal Rock (Isaiah 26:3,4 NLT.)

Remember; God never calls you to do something that He will not equip you to do!

Dear Father, Thank You for lovingly leading me – particularly nudging me back to Your path when my mind gets distracted. I know that You are continually calling me to be on the move for You – in some way. Keep my heart obedient in my thoughts and steps. Help me remember that as You steer my course, it is totally SAFE for me to take both hands off the wheel. I trust You and follow Your lead in these present moments. In the strong name of Jesus I pray, Amen

Trusting His Plan,