BY: Kaylee Breker
“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 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 12:1-3
“This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:”
Matthew 1:1
“Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”
Galatians 3:7-9
The holidays tend to bring such a mix of emotions, don’t they? Some that we’re more than happy to entertain, and some, I imagine, we wish we didn’t have to face. We’re about to be inundated with shopping, decorating, baking, family and friends. In addition to the natural busyness of the season there may be a plethora of new conditions that you’re facing here on the tail end of an extremely challenging year. I’m sure in varying degrees you’ve encountered struggle, loss and disappointment these past eleven months, which may make celebrating feel more laborious than it ever has before.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed this season, I hope you are filled with hope that carries you beyond Christmas. We have so much to celebrate in the birth and life of Jesus. Let’s turn our hearts towards one thing we can celebrate wholeheartedly, we serve a God who makes, and keeps, incredible promises to His people.
In Genesis 12, we read the conversation with God and Abram. He was 75 years old, married, and had no children. God instructs Abram to leave his home and family, promising him a personal blessing and the promise that every person on earth would be blessed through him. In the 13 chapters that follow, Abram matures, learns, and encounters the miraculous. Ultimately, he is transformed into Abraham, the Father of Nations. At the end of Abraham’s life, he had eight children, financial prosperity, and his faith-filled life had brought good to everyone connected to him. God kept his promise to Abraham…and 1,767 years later, that promise was still kept when our Savior, Jesus Christ, was born as a descendant of Abraham.
Long before Christ incarnate came to Earth, God proclaimed the gospel message to Abraham — completely transforming his life. Through Abraham God birthed Israel; chosen out of all the nations on the earth, to be His own (Deut. 7:6;). Though there were countless acts of disobedience, unfaithfulness, and unbelief among the Israelites, God never turned away from them.
Why?
Because He keeps His promises.
As we close out our brief history lesson, where does the Hope part come in? We see the faithful hand of God prevail throughout every generation. As time has marched on, culture, custom, and tradition have changed — but God has not. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8). His plan was promised long before Christ was born, and will continue until He comes again.
Right now, in this moment, our generation has the responsibility and privilege to allow the blessings and promises of God to flow through us. Today, we are the history-makers. In this Christmas season and always, we can have hope.
YOU can have hope!
He has made us a promise of blessing and He always keeps His promises.
Daily Challenge:
What promise are you believing for Him to keep?
#Advent2020AC
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