Daily Devotion, July 12, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Genesis 12:1-3.

Like most Scripture, this passage requires us to see it in the context of what has happened before it. In just eleven chapters in Genesis, we have seen the fall of Adam and Eve, God wiping out sinful humanity except Noah and his family, and God scattering the descendants of Noah and confusing their language after they arrogantly decided to build a tower to heaven to make a name for themselves. It is as if God decided that, to reach and bless all people of the earth, God would need to single out a family on which to focus. God chose Abram and asked him to leave his extended family and the good land and water of Haran and go to a new place God would show him. Amazingly, Abram obeyed God and was therefore seen as righteous. This short passage is rich in teachings on faith, righteousness, and simple obedience. But our lesson in it for today is that God would bless Abram for a huge purpose. As God’s covenant people, God will raise up the descendants of Abram as the Children of Israel. God will give them the law for moral guidance, set them apart as a nation, and send God’s word to them through the prophets. And it was to them that God would send God’s Son, the promised Messiah, to save the world. Indeed it is through Jesus Christ, a descendant of Abram, that all people on earth will be blessed IF we the church carry on the work of Christ.

Personal Worship Option:

Give thanks today that God desires a personal relationship with you. Think of that! God desires to know you, to show God’s love to you, and to bless you. But it does not end there. God desires a relationship with all people. Pray for the opportunity to do the work of Christ and share the Good News with another person today.