Lesson for the Lord’s Day
Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. Galatians 3:6-7
Of all the Old Testament Bible characters, who would you say received the greatest promises from God? That’s an easy one; it’s not even close; the answer has to be Abraham. Just consider the great list of promises that God gave Abram, as he was then, even before he left Ur:’And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed’ (Genesis 12:2). Over the years and the decades, as Abraham moved in faith, obeying God and honouring Him, God refined and expanded His promises to Abraham. As he grew old, Abraham was wealthy beyond any of his neighbours, wealth that he would pass on to his heirs. But Abraham was also wealthy in spiritual blessings, wealth that he has also passed on to his heirs. And, our text declares, that is us!
Abraham’s righteousness resulted from his belief in what God told him. He is called the father of the faithful. Our faith is the same, received not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to His mercy. We entered God’s family, and by extension Abraham’s family, when we believed the Word of God that as sinners we could obtain everlasting life by trusting the work of Christ. That one act of faith brought us into a vast treasure house of promises of God. But just as Abraham’s appreciation of God’s promises grew as he continued to move forward in faith, so we gain greater appreciation of God’s promises, and access even more promises, as we move in faith in our lives.
Someone wise once said that a little faith will take us to Heaven, but great faith will bring Heaven to us. God never expected us to be satisfied with a salvation that is a fire escape from hell and a ticket to Heaven. Our salvation is so much more than that. By faith, we learn to trust the leading of the Holy Spirit as He directs our lives in serving the Lord. By faith we learn to trust the Lord for his provision of our daily needs, for our safety from the perils around us, for the strength to be faithful witnesses for Him, for the comfort to endure the trials and sorrows, and for the wisdom to discern the right path for us as faithful servants.
God honoured Abraham for his faith. He will honour us for our faith too. – Jim MacIntosh