FEB 15
Genesis 12:1-8
Memorise Genesis 12:2-3
“And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee”

After the scattering at the tower of Babel, it seems that most of the families by and large continued in their rebellious ways, and very quickly turned to idols. Even the godly line through Shem was not spared, for Terah and his family also worshipped idols in the land of Ur. If this continued, then mankind would quickly forget about God, and engage in all manner of wickedness again. In order to preserve a remnant of true believers who would continue to call upon the name of the Lord, God would form a nation of His choosing, to whom He would give His law, statutes and commandments, and to whom the Messiah would one day come forth from. In order to do that, He had to first call a man and establish a covenant with him, of one who would be the father of God’s chosen people. This was the plan which God had already formulated even before the foundation of the world. God already had His perfect plan for redemption worked out in meticulous detail. He knew exactly what was required, in ensuring that in the fullness of time, He will send forth His Son (Galatians 4:4), the seed of the woman as promised in Genesis 3:15.

The man of God’s choosing was therefore Abraham, or Abram, as he was still known as at the point of his call. It was not because of any particular talent, ability or righteousness on the part of Abraham that God chose to call him. It was not even because God knew that he would respond in faith and obedience that God chose to use him. In fact, we would soon read of various failings that Abraham had in his lack of faith and propensity to lie. As a man, Abraham had his flaws. Yet in accordance to His good will and pleasure, God was the one who chose Abraham, and made the covenant with him. God alone made all the promises, and God alone would be the one who would see to its fulfilment. Though it seemed that Sarah was barren, and they still did not have a son, yet God assured Abraham that He would make of him a great nation, and that they would inherit the land of Canaan. Not too many further details were given. All Abraham had to do was to follow God’s commands step by step, and God would take care of the rest.

God has a plan and a purpose for each of us as well. Are you ready to hearken to God’s call?

Thought: What is God’s purpose for my life?

Prayer: Lord, may I actively seek to know Your will for my life.