I remember my last day of second grade. As we were cleaning out our desks and packing up to leave for the summer, the girl who sat behind me tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I would be her best friend next year. I was so excited. I had moved to a new school in first grade and left my best friend behind. At the new school my only friends had been boys for almost two years, and I wanted to have a new best friend who was a girl. And this girl was one of the nicest girls in our class, so of course I said yes.
I spent most of the summer worrying that she would forget her promise to be my new best friend. On the first day of third grade I was so nervous that I would walk into our classroom and find out that she had found someone else to be her best friend. I got to school a little late on that first day and had to walk into the classroom alone. As I looked around the room, I saw my new best friend waving and smiling and pointing to the seat she had saved for me. It felt so good to have been chosen, and to have that choice remembered.
In Genesis 12:1-3, we read that God chose Abram (who later became known as Abraham), and for something far greater than best friendship. “The Lord said to Abram, Go from your country and your kindred and your fathers house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed (ESV).
Out of all the people in the world at that time, God chose Abram and Abrams descendants (who became the nation of Israel) to belong to God, to be Gods people set apart to do His will. In return for Abrams faithfulness, God promises a lot of things: a son of Abrams own, a land to dwell in, a nation of descendants, and divine protection and blessing. And although it isnt explicitly stated, there is another promise that is implied: the promise of a Savior by whom all nations shall be blessed.
All nations shall be blessed, God said to Abram, and that includes those of us who have faith today. In Galatians 3:7 we see that we are included: “Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham.” Galatians 3:14 says “so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” And Galatians 3:29 tell us, “And if you are Christ’s then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”
The salvation that comes from Jesus is the ultimate blessing! And it is ours through faith. Just as Abraham trusted in God’s promise, so do we.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the promise you gave to Abraham and that you give to us today, the promise that we can receive the Holy Spirit through faith and so become part of your family. Help us to remember this promise and to always trust in you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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