Advent Reflections Dec 5

Morning
Gen 12:1-3

Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s 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.”

Several thousand years ago, God called a nomadic shepherd to leave everything behind and trust HIM with the future. God still calls us to abandon things of temporary meaning and follow him. What is he calling you to leave behind today?

Afternoon
Gen 13:14-17

The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15 for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. 17 Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.”

God’s Promise to Abraham was a promise of a lineage that could not be counted. You know that popular kids song about “Father Abraham – had many sons – I am one of them – and so are you… ?” God keeps his promises.

Evening
Gal 3:29

And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Read that verse again. Preferably aloud. Ask, “Am I Christ’s?” If the answer is yes, then you are the inheritor of a thousands year old promise. What does that do for your security? What does that do for your rest? What does that do for the meaning and purpose of your life?