The big flood is over and Noah and his family are safe in Genesis 9-12. God blesses them and promises He will never flood the earth again. The rainbow is a sign of that promise. Noah's son's- Shem, Ham, and Japheth are the beginnings of the twelve tribes of Israel and God's chosen people. Everyone speaks one language and seems to get a little too big for his/her britches so God solves the problem with the tower of Babel. Then, we read through Noah's whole family tree and fast forward a few hundred years to meet Abram (a descendant of Shem and later called Abraham) who does another crazy big thing for God in his faithfulness.
Abram's faith is where I want to zoom in today. Abram and his wife, Sarai are pretty old. They've never had children. They're settled in their hometown of Harran, but God asks them to follow Him and do something bigger and very different than what they know.
12 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
2
“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.[a]
3
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”[b]
When God spoke, Abram listened. His wife supported him. Together, they followed God, and God blessed them beyond their wildest dreams. That's faith. And their story is the beginning of how God's power can work in our lives if we will follow His call for us.
- Believing is just the beginning of the journey, God's personal invitation to me, to get closer and closer to Him. How will I respond?
- Faith means God's way, not my way.
- A strong relationship with Him is not easy or comfortable, but it is an adventure full of blessings beyond our imaginations.
- When we are following God, we will see His power and His strength at work in our lives.
- It's really important to take the time to be with God and thank Him for all He is doing each step of the way.
- The more faith we have, the more we are willing to say "yes" to God, the more He can do through us, for us, and with us.
So, I can't help but think about my own faith. As I begin this new year, I am reminded that, like Abram and Sarai, I am God's masterpiece, created in His own image.
What is God asking me to do for Him in our adventure together? What does He need me appreciate and celebrate each day? What does He need me to leave behind in order to move forward with Him? Are there areas of my life that are too comfortable and easy, keeping me from hearing God's call? In what ways do I need to put my trust in Him and start anew?
A prayer for today-
Dear God-
Thank You for the example I have in Abraham. I pray for a strong faith like His that brings glory to You for generations to come. When you speak to me, help me to hear You clearly. Forgive me for all the ways I get "too comfortable" and selfish in my life. I admit that I am afraid. Give me the courage and Your power to do what You need me to do for You. I love you, Father. Thank You for all my many blessings ___________________.
In the name of Jesus I pray,
Amen
Grace and peace,
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