Genesis 15:6 “And he believed the LORD, and He counted it to him as righteousness.”
A long time ago, around three hundred years after the flood, appeared a man by the name of Abram. He had been living in southern Iraq in a region called Ur. His father Terah decided to move his family to a region that would be northern Syria today. Then, an interesting thing happens…God speaks to Abram and tells him to leave his father’s family and go to a land that He will show Abram.
Then God makes a promise:
- I will make you a great nation
- I will bless you
- I will make your name great
- You shall be a blessing
- I will bless those who bless you
- I will curse him who curses you
- In you all the families of the earth will be blessed
Wow…if that wasn’t motivation for moving, I don’t know what is.
What was it that God witnessed in Abram that led Him to not only call Abram, but choose to bless him?
Abram had great faith in God.
As the story of Abram, soon to be called Abraham unfolds, we witness a series of event that demonstrates Abraham’s unyielding faith in God, but first God gives Abram a command…
Genesis 17:1 “When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless”
God’s command was simple, as you move and go about your life before God, be found blameless. Or, it could be said, depart from sin, go God’s way, and be found obedient. We see later on that Abraham was obedient, through very difficult tasks. Sure, Abraham grew fearful at times, offering up his wife to both Pharaoh and Abimelech out of concern for his life, but in both instances God preserved Abraham and Sarah.
After God’s command to Abram, God spoke and explained the purpose for His request.
Genesis 17:2 “that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.”
Even though God had great plans for Abram, there was an expectation on Abram’s part. Once Abram heard God’s call, the Bible says that Abram fell on his face and worshipped God.
The sign of a servant of God is made clear during times of expectation.
- When God speaks, the servant of God is listening.
- Worship is the response of those who delight in God’s commands.
- Belief is more than an acknowledgement, it shows up in action.
Abraham’s faith was a reflection of his heart. God saw his heart very early on and recognized Abram as one in whom He could build a nation out of. Eventually the children of Israel arose from the seed of Abraham, and out of that nation God demonstrated His power and glory.
Before Abram had barely accomplished anything, God acted faithfully and declared him the father of many nations.
God was wise in choosing Abraham. The incredible faith it took to believe God would give him a son in his old age, was even more established when Abraham was willing to offer up his son as a sacrifice to God.
What has God called you to believe today?
Do you feel like the Lord has placed upon you undo expectations?
Maybe the Lord sees something in you that you do not see just yet?
When you hear God’s voice, worship Him, and then trust Him to complete the promise. Whatever God commands, do it. Then you will see with your eyes and hear with your ears the full impact of what true Fatih in God provides.
Hundreds of years later, Abrahams descendants heard a similar command that God gave them.
Deuteronomy 28:1 “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.”
Did you know, that as a believer in Christ you have been grafted into the lineage of Abrahams seed? The promise of God through Abraham, down through the Messiah, continues today spiritually in all who make Jesus the Lord of their lives. The promise lives on!
Today, Israel still bears the seed of Abraham, but the true spiritual seed of faith, demonstrated in Abraham, goes on in the Kingdom of God.
Believers have the same command…walk before God and be found blameless. True righteousness (perfection), is only found through the shed blood of Christ. Walking in righteousness is demonstrated through obedience.
As a son or daughter of Abraham…your belief in Christ has made you an heir of the King. Honor the Lord in your life.
U.T. 