SCRIPTURE: Genesis 12
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
(Read my reflection from 2008)
“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” [Genesis 12:2-3]
The curse of sin is spreading through the world.
God sets in motion a reverse movement, a movement of blessing.
God’s plan is to raise up an army of people-blessers, through whom He can share His love and mercy and goodness.
God does not take His ‘chosen ones’ out of the world, He sends them into the world.
Notice that He does not tell Abraham to curse the people that curse Him, his role (and our role with him) is to “be a blessing” – God will take care of the curse.
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. [Luke 6:27-28]
The Lord calls us to bless those who curse us- to find a way to build them up, to help them, to serve them and show them God’s mercy.
This is how “all peoples on earth will be blessed”.
But what about the part where God says He will curse those who curse us?
As mentioned before, God takes care of the curse.
The way that God takes care of the curse is to take it upon Himself first of all, to make if possible for sinners to be forgiven, to find mercy, to have the curse lifted.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. [Galatians 3:13-14]
Jesus takes the curse on our behalf, and then releases God’s blessing on those who really deserve it.
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” [Luke 23:33-34]
What does this mean for us?
The curse is lifted from us, and now the Lord is sending us to continue extending the blessing of His mercy to the people around us – whether they deserve it or not.
Who are the people around us that deserve to be punished, rebuked… who do not know what they are doing?
How can we bless them, help them, build them up, serve them and show them mercy?
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. [Luke 6:35-36]
PRAYER:
Lord, show me the people around me that need to be blessed. Remind me that this is why You have sent me here – just like Abram.
The Lord speaks to Abe and he does what the Lord God asks of Him. Abram goes just like that. Wow! And what about me. How does the Lord speak to me this day and do I follow His way in my life without question? Which voice do I listen to? God still speaks to His children and He still leads them. He still says, ‘This is the way. Walk in it.’
God also blesses Abram. He blesses His people who follow Him and causes them to be a blessing. Abram knew that God blessed Him and worshipped Him. He built the altar to give thanks.
And yet Abram did not trust God to the fullest. When in Egypt land, he put his trust on his personal wit and not God’s power. This is a struggle of God’s people, when we see no way out, where do we go for advice, for help, for aid? We also see that the leader has great influence – the troubles that came to the land, the example of Abram to his family, Pharaoh telling the peoples to treat Abram well and giving orders to his men about Abram.
What about my light? God still uses His people today like Abram to let the world know that He is Lord. Use me Lord to show Your presence in this Your world. Our world, my world, belongs to God and those who I can influence must see Him in me. Help me this day Lord to be a living epistle.
1 Out in the highways and byways of life,
many are weary and sad;
are weary and sad
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife
making the sorrowing glad.
Refrain:
Make me a blessing,
Make me a blessing,
Out of my life
out of my life
May Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O savior, I pray,
I pray Thee, my Savior,
Make me a blessing to someone today.
2 Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love;
Tell of His pow’r to forgive;
His pow’r to forgive.
Others will trust Him if only you prove
true ev’ry moment you live.
Refrain:
3 Give as ’twas given to you in your need;
Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed;
Unto your mission be true.
Refrain