Hello
Sometimes we hear of some Biblical promises and we wonder whether we were excluded from them. But what if there’s more to the story, like with today’s Holy Nougat
“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 12:3 NLT
WOW! Such wonderful words of assurance! It gives a person strength for many a journey. Even more so, when we know that the source is God. But … did we stop to read the rest? Like verses 1-2? It’s like an obedience challenge huh.
Allow me to intentionally digress for a bit to say that many of us learn scripture outside of its context, and sometimes that is dangerous. For sometimes our understanding might have changed in light of the bigger picture. Take for instance God’s promises to Abram –
(now back to regular programming).
The promise came on the heels of some very serious instruction. Leave ALL you know and are familiar with, you and your family (ie wife and servants), and follow me into the unknown AND I will bless you beyond measure. Including blessing those who bless you.
I maintain that the promise is also ours, yet it may also call for radical obedience (if not separation) from the familiar. That’s not always easy. Terah, Abraham’s (Abram’s) dad seemed to have gotten the same instructions, and if he did, it seems he stopped part way. The Magi got lost (and it cost a peoples the lives of almost a generation of boys), and had to stop for direction along the way. Lot separated from Abram, either because it wasn’t his call, or his workers were caught up with what appeared to be important for them at the time. It also suggests that those who begin life’s journey with us, might not always complete it with us.
But, and it’s a big and serious But, God is with us. If we take the Obedience challenge, God promises to accompany us, bless us and bless others through our lives – no matter what meets us along the ‘journey’.
Ready for God’s Obedience Challenge?
Let’s do it!
Good morning
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
