That's Why

Dear Friends,

This morning I was doing my daily devotional reading, and came across Genesis 12:2, which says, “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great, and you will be a blessing to others.” For those of you who aren't familiar with this passage, God was speaking to Abram before he had been renamed “Abraham”, and God had just told Abram to leave his home and follow Him to a new place that God will show him. In the process, God outlines for Abram several blessings that he will receive as he follows God.

I think that when we read through this particular passage of Scripture, it's easy for us to focus on all the promises that God gave to Abram, but today as I read it, I was struck by another lesson we can take away from this. We tend to focus on the part of the scripture where God does the blessing, and in doing so, we miss out on the “why” behind it. Why did God bless Abram? The passage answers that question when it says at the end, that the Lord told Abraham: “I will bless you and make your name great - and you will be a blessing to others.” In other words, Abram was blessed SO THAT he could be a blessing to others.

We are heirs to the blessings that God gave Abram, which is great news for us. But it also means we need to claim the challenge that comes with those blessings. God has done so much for each of us. He's blessed us far beyond anything we could deserve – even sending His Son to die for us. He has showered us with daily grace and mercy, as He has called us His children. He has allowed us to come into His Kingdom and be a part of the great things He’s doing here on earth and into eternity. And this passage in Genesis reminds us that what we have received isn't just for our own personal enjoyment or benefit, but it's to bless and encourage a dying world around us. God gives freely to us so that we may give freely to others.

So today, let’s ask God to help us to generously give out of the blessings He's given us. Let's ask Him to help us actively look for ways to bless others today - whether it's through our words, or our actions - let's work to be a blessing to those around us so that they too can enjoy all that God abundantly gives.

Amen?

Daniel