Genesis 12:1-3 (related reading - Hebrews 6:13-20)
Our concern is not so much with Abraham as the God of Abraham. The story of Abraham is both the story of Abraham's weakness and the story of God's grace and power. We see the grace of God revealed in the promises of God. We see the power of God, as He fulfils His promises.
The promise, given to Abraham, has three parts: (a) personal - "I will bless you"; (b) national - "I will make of you a great nation"; (c) universal - By you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
As the fulfilment of God's promise moves forward from Abraham to Israel to Christ, we hear God's Word speaking to us. "I will bless you."
As we receive the blessing of God's salvation, we discover how faithful God is, in His love for us. God is the everlasting God. He is carrying out His purpose - the purpose of His unchanged, unchanging and unchangeable love. This purpose is expressed in His promises. His promises have been fulfilled in Christ. His promises are offered to us today. These promises, summed up in the simple yet rich and full words, "I will bless you", express "the unchangeable character of His purpose"(Hebrew 6:17). We know that God will not fail us. He will not let us down. He will not forsake us. He will not leave us. We know this, not only because of the promises given to Abraham. We know that God is faithful in His love, because of the Cross of Christ, who is "the sure and steadfast anchor of the soul" (Hebrews 6:19).
As we discover the faithfulness of God, we find ourselves drawn to Him, drawn by His love; attracted to Him - not with a shallow and superficial attraction but with a deep devotion and a heartfelt loving loyalty: "He Himself hath sworn, I on His oath depend: I shall, on eagle's wings upborne, to heaven ascend; I shall behold His face, I shall His power adore, and sing the wonders of His grace forevermore."
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