Counting Stars In An Empty Sky By Michael YoussefSample

Day Four

Glory to Glory

Scripture: Genesis 12:1–7

After Abraham’s father died, Abraham left Harran and continued on the journey to Canaan. Abraham had to leave his past behind. He had to move to a place he had never seen—a place that was strange and unknown to him. 

Abraham’s trek toward Canaan must have been a lonely journey. Yes, Sarai went with him, and his nephew Lot. But did they understand the strange calling God had given him? Did they understand that when Abraham heard a voice they couldn’t hear, when he received a summoning they couldn’t understand, Abraham was in direct contact with Yahweh, the maker of the universe? I imagine Abraham must have felt alone with this calling God had spoken into his heart and soul. 

But Abraham wasn’t alone. God was with him, and God was all he truly needed. 

You and I have a great privilege as Christians. We never have to walk alone in our Christian lives. God is with us. Our brothers and sisters in the church are with us. That is God’s promise to us, just as it was His promise to Abraham—we are never alone. 

In the first three verses of Genesis 12, God makes six “I will” promises to Abraham: I will show you a land. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you. I will make your name great. I will bless those who bless you. I will curse those who curse you. God spoke those promises when Abraham still lived in Ur of the Chaldeans. He spoke a seventh promise to Abraham after Abraham left Harran, as we read in Genesis 12:7. Implicit in each of God’s seven “I will” promises in Genesis 12 is His promise to be present with Abraham.

Each of God’s promises to Abraham progress from one glory to the next. The Christian life is not a static, motionless state of being. God designed the Christian life to be a journey, a progression, an adventure. At times, it seems like an obstacle course. But as we go, we grow, and we move from glory to glory. Whenever God says “I will” and we respond to His promise, He blesses us. And He is always present.

In what ways are you experiencing God’s presence with you this week?