“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you.”         Genesis 12:2 NIV

The first promise, that God would make of Abram a great nation, was literally fulfilled in Israel. But what does it symbolize spiritually, to us? What is a nation? In our modern times, a nation may be made up of a thousand strains from many different family groups, all living together in a heterogeneous society. In the Bible, every nation begins with a man; then there is the family, and as the family grows and expands, there is finally the nation. This promise comes to us in the abundant, eternal life offered by the Lord Jesus. The promise of the gospel. “The wages of sin is death,” that is the old country of Ur, “but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord,” (Romans 6:23 RSV). What happens when we obey the command to leave? “I will give you the fullness of life, eternal life,” says the Lord. “I will make of you a great nation. I will make your life one of constant expansion and enlargement. Your life will take on universal proportions.” The second promise, “I will bless you and make your name great so that you will be a blessing,” meant several specific things to Abram. It meant he would have riches, he would find honour, and he would be a blessing to others. He would be influential and effective. This is exactly what our Lord is offering us today. He never commits Himself to make us wealthy, but He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:4) so we will be a blessing to others.

PRAYER THOUGHT

Lord, as You blessed Abraham, You have blessed us in Christ Jesus.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, as You have blessed Abraham, You blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus, our Lord, so we can be a blessing to others. AMEN

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

2 Samuel 9:1-7

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