Daily Devotions

Through October we take a snapshot view of the books of the Old Testament, and so we start with Genesis -  with the theme “Begin with God.”

The book of Genesis is a volume of narratives, if you like, an anthology of stories.  As the title suggests it is  "book of beginnings". Genesis embodies foundational principles that range all the way from the nature of the world and humanity to the history of God's covenant dealings with the human race. The gallery of characters is large, but eight characters stand out: Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph.

Perhaps after the creation narrative a key Genesis verse is this, “Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 12:1-3)

The great theologian Walter Brueggemann has described 12:1–3 as a second creation account, which clues us into the importance of God’s “I will bless” declaration. When we first encounter this passage, we are struck by the repetition of 'brk', the Hebrew root of blessed. “God will bless Abram and then he in turn will be a blessing to others, ultimately to ‘all peoples on earth'.

On the surface, the saying 'blessed to be a blessing' can seem quite a trite statement, but when really taken on board, it has such a profound impact. The blessings God gives us are intended to be shared with all, beginning with the inestimable blessing of salvation from sin and including all the other good things the Lord has given to us.

As followers of Christ, whatever our circumstances, we have been given the greatest gifts of faith, hope and love. And we have been blessed with the means of grace and the hope of glory. If we have Christ, we have been given everything that is eternally worthwhile. So the big question is “Why?” Why have we been so blessed? The answer to that question is found in Genesis 12:2-3. “I am going to put a special blessing on you and cause your reputation to grow so that you will become a blessing and example to others

Heavenly Father, thank You for the beautiful example of Abram who, by faith in Your Word, has become the biblical example of someone who believed in the Word of the Lord and who simply trusted in the promises of God. Help me to listen to Your voice and faithfully obey Your call, to Your praise and glory. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.