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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 51

"Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust You…" Psalm 31:19

Text: Genesis 12:1-20

THE COMMAND TO LEAVE COUNTRY AND FAMILY

At first reading, we may feel uncomfortable at the command of the Lord to Abram. What did God mean when He said these words to Abram?

“Get out of your country, From your family,
And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.”

GENESIS 12:1

1. A Test of Faith

Could Abram fully understand God? Could he believe in the Lord fully? Could he believe that God would do all these things as He had promised? A Word from the Lord that requires interaction and obedience would serve as an appropriate test!

2. A Test of Obedience

Could Abram believe deeply enough to obey the Lord? He must not misunderstand the Word from God. He was not severing family ties by any means. He was merely going to live in any country!


THE SCOPE OF GOD’S PLAN

Did Abram really have to leave country and family in order to fulfill God’s plans? The answer is straightforward and it is YES! Let us take a glimpse at the extent of God’s promise of blessing! Let us ponder just one aspect of the promised blessings!

“I will make you a great nation…”

Genesis 12:2

1. Abram would become a great nation!

That was a great promise indeed! In order for that to come to pass, Abram would literally need a large tract of land!

2. God’s blessing would encompass future generations

God’s promise was not just for Abram. His blessing would extend far into the future! If Abram fully understood God’s promise, he would not hesitate to leave anything and everything!

3. God’s prerogative to choose the land of promise

God in His perfect wisdom would be able to choose the very best land for Abram. God, being the Lord also had the right to exercise His prerogative to choose which land He would give to Abram! Indeed, “The earth is the Lord’s…” (Psalm 24:1).


ABRAM COULD ALWAYS SAY “NO”

Some are not prepared to make any “sacrifices”. These prefer to live in their comfort zones! To leave country and family would seem like too much of a sacrifice! Abram was not such a person! With a dynamic faith, he rose up and obeyed God!