In Genesis 12: 1-4, God tells Abram to leave his country, his family and his father’s house to go into a land that God would show him. By faith, Abram packed up and follow God’s directions. Keep in mind, when he moved, he had a wife, servants, cattle and household goods. He couldn’t call a moving service for help, it was a huge undertaking. When God told Abram to move He also made eight promises to Abram. One of those promises was that God would make of him a great nation. By faith, Abram obeyed. Abram was 75 years old.
As a result of Abram’s original obedience in Genesis 12, almost 25 years later, God comes back to Abram and says I am now going to move forward with those promises I made to you. I am establishing a covenant with you and following through on my promise that a great nation will come through you. You will now be known as Abraham, “for a father of many nations have I made thee” (Genesis 17:5).
The Word tells us in Romans 4, that God credited Abram’s faith as righteousness (right standing with God). Because of Abraham’s actions and obedience, we became the beneficiaries of the covenant between God and Abraham. In today’s world we would equate a covenant to a contract. Some people have no problems with breaking a contract or covenant. However, when God enters into a contract or a covenant, He does not break it.
Part of the covenant rite is that the other will be the strength for the other partner’s weaknesses. God does this for us daily. We just have to walk in it. We should examine our actions to determine if we acting with the faith of Abraham. Or are we looking at the challenges and perceiving them to be larger than our covenant with God? Ask yourself “Do I really believe that God’s grace is sufficient as He told Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9”?
We have a better covenant through Jesus Christ which is a direct result of Abraham’s faith and obedience. Remember, God is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19). Rest on God’s promises. Rely on His Word. Have the faith of Abraham. Walk in God’s promises to us just as Abraham did.
Minister Wrighster,
SOBI INSTRUCTOR/ALUMNI
