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 (Genesis 12:1-2).
Many generations after Noah, God calls Abraham to an unknown land, promising to make him into a great nation. Abraham follows but as times passes, he and his wife remain childless. Two people don’t make a nation. God reassures him that the promise will be fulfilled. Abram’s story illustrates a constant tension between faith and fulfillment. He doesn’t always make the best choices in the waiting, but God fulfills his promise years later though the birth of Isaac. We can always count on God to fulfill his promises, because his faithfulness isn’t contingent on ours.
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due (Romans 4:1–4).
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).
Faithful, true, and righteous, that’s who you are. Thank you for being faithful to us when we don't deserve it and for giving us your righteousness through Jesus Christ. Forgive us when we think we have a right to any of your blessings.
