Origins: The Promise (Genesis 12–25)Sample

By Danny Saavedra

“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 12:2–3 (NLT)

Abraham is called the father of faith. He is the patriarch of Israel. James 2:23 (NLT) says, “And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: ‘Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.’ He was even called the friend of God.” It all started in Genesis 12. Here, God instructs Abram to pack up and leave the land of his father; to leave his home and all his comforts behind, to uproot his family and travel to a foreign land. In fact, Abram wasn’t even told which land. God told him to “go to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1 NLT). But along with this colossal call came a precious promise: “I will make you into a great nation . . . All the families on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:2–3 NLT).

At 75, Abram answers this call and heads out with his family. The interesting thing about God’s promise was that Abram and his wife Sarai had no children. How would God make a great nation out of a childless old man and his wife? Well, Abram wondered the same thing! So, God revealed His plan, “Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, ‘Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have’” (Genesis 15:5 NLT). And guess what? Despite the odds, despite the logic, Abram still believed God, and that’s when the righteousness deposit was transferred into his account!

God promised to bless all families of the earth through the seed of Abraham. He did this through the coming of Jesus, son of David, son of Abraham, Son of God! “God gave the promises to Abraham and his child. And notice that the Scripture doesn’t say ‘to his children,’ as if it meant many descendants. Rather, it says ‘to his child,' and that, of course, means Christ. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.” (Galatians 3:16, 29 NLT).

The story of Abram, whose name God changes to Abraham (Genesis 17:5), is a beautiful picture of our role in God’s plan of salvation. It’s not work, but worship. In Genesis 12, Abram received the promise by faith. And do you know what he did after that? He built an altar (Genesis 12:7), a place of worship.

As you go through your day today, remember there is power in worshiping God for the strength He gives you. Take the place of humility and allow Him to be all. As we see with Abram, it’s not about what we can do, but what He’s done. So, worship Him!

DIG: Have you ever received a big call on your life? How did you handle it?

DISCOVER: Why did God choose Abraham?

DO: Consider what the Lord is calling you to do in this season of life. Consider the call on your life and how you’re living it out. If you haven’t done so lately, follow Abraham’s example and worship the Lord for the call and for equipping you with all you need to accomplish it in Christ Jesus!