I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who treats you with contempt. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:3 WEB
These words from God to Abram recorded in Genesis give the second half of a promise to the patriarch of the Jewish faith. God commands Abram to leave his homeland and travel to an undisclosed land. Due to his unwavering faith in God, Abram does not question God but simply obeys him.
The story of Abram and his wife Sarai, eventually known as Abraham and Sarah, begins the understanding of God crediting faith as righteousness. As we read of Abram in Genesis 15:6, “And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. KJV” Eventually, God changes Abram’s name to Abraham, promising to make him the father of many nations.
Faith As Righteousness
The notion of faith counted as righteousness originates in Jewish tradition with Abraham. This foreshadows the Christian faith of salvation through belief in Christ. With Jesus, God’s promise to Abraham of all families being “blessed through you” is fulfilled. With Christ, God redeemed all sinners through faith in his atoning sacrifice.
In addition to blessing all families through the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, God promises to bless those who bless the nation of Israel that descends from Abraham. Significantly, God preserves his chosen people with the promise to curse those who mistreat them.
With Abraham, the tradition of trusting God to provide for and protect the faithful is established. Since that time, the faithful of the living God trust the Lord to keep his promises. No matter how difficult the situation or how circumstances may look, we trust in God as Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “for we walk by faith, not by sight. WEB”
Prayer: “Father God, I am blessed through you by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Thank you for loving me. Help me to be a blessing to your kingdom. Guide me in your will. In Jesus name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: The Waves Obey Him
