“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
Genesis 12:1-3
The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
Genesis 21:1-3
The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. 2 She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would. 3 And Abraham named their son Isaac.
God told Abram to leave his home and relatives and go to a place that He would show him. Abram trusted God and obeyed Him. God promised Abram that he would have a big family, that He would bless Abram, and provide for and protect him. God had a plan to use Abram to bless all the families of the earth. God is the Creator of all things. We were once able to have a relationship with God, but then sincame into the world and separated us. Because God loves us so much, He had a plan for us to be with Him again, by giving us His Son, Jesus. God used Abram’s big family to bring Jesus into the world many years later. Because Jesus came, died on the cross, and rose again, anyone on earth now has the chance to be saved from their sin. Just like Abram trusted God, we can trust God’s plan for us too.
#1 - Abraham obeyed God, even though he didn’t know where He was going to lead him. What are some ways you can obey God, even when you don’t know what the outcome will be?
#2 - Abraham and Sarah had to wait a long time for their son. What does this teach us about trusting God and His plan for our lives?
Thank You, God, for Your many promises and blessings. We know that You have a perfect plan for our lives. Help us to trust You and obey You, even when we do not understand or know what the outcome will be. We love You and want to trust You more each day. It’s in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
Genesis 14:19-20
Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.20 And blessed be God Most High who has defeated your enemies for you. “ Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.
Abram’s nephew Lot, along with many other people and their possessions, were captured during a war. Abram formed an army of men who found their enemies, chased them away, and rescued Lot and the other people. He brought them and their possessions back to Melchizedek, the king of Salem. Melchizedek said that God Most High was the one who defeated their enemies. It was God who provided Abram with his army and gave them success in rescuing the people. It was part of God’s plan to give Abram he needed and what defeat his enemies. We must rely on God to provide for us and trust that He has a plan for us. God promised Abram that He would protect him and give him what he needed. Because Abram trusted God’s promise, God’s plan eventually brought us Jesus. Jesus was the only one who could rescue us from our sin and bring us back to God. We can trust God’s promise by believing in Jesus and asking Him to forgive us, and He will. We need to trust that God will give us what we need, and we can do this because God has a plan for us.
#1 - Abram trusted God to provide for him. What are some areas of your life where you need to trust that God will provide for you?
#2 - Abram had faith in God’s plan for his life. How does believing that God has a plan for your life help you during times of uncertainty?
Thank You, God, for the perfect plan You have for our lives. We know that You provide everything we need. Help us follow Your guidance and put our trust fully in You. We love You and want to serve You in the plan You have for our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.