Day 3:  God's Promises to us regarding our families

God's covenant with Abraham has echoed throughout the milleniums, proclaiming Him as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 

Genesis chapter 15:1-4 is a vision where Abram communicates with God about the fact that he is childless and wonders how the promises of God can come to pass for his progeny.  God makes it clear that Abraham's seed will be multiplied and will come from him.  Verse 5 states:  "And He brought him forth abroad and said, 'Look, now toward Heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them:'  and he said unto him, 'So shall thy seed be:'  and he believed in the Lord, and he counted it to him for righteousness."

Of course, just like us...Abraham got weary in waiting on God and tried to work things out himself with Ishmael as the result.  Even though this was not God's plan and even though Isaac eventually was the son of promise...because God cannot take back his Word--He blessed Ishmael because he was the "seed" of Abraham--and God had made Abraham a promise to bless and multiply his seed.

The miraculous birth of Isaac in their old age allowed Abraham and Sarah to realize that God keeps His promises.  This emphasizes too the fact that God does work through families from generation to generation.  His Covenant of promise with Abraham would continue.  As we continue this study we will refer back to the Abrahamic covenant quite often.

An obedient patriarch sets the stage for future generations and the results are exponential.  God's plan for Abraham, as well as God's plan for you and I is unfathomable.  We sometimes get a glimpse into what He is doing as we put our trust and faith in Him--but more often than not it is hindsight that shows us His great hand moving through our lives and con-
tinuing with our children and grandchildren.  If we could see too far ahead it would blow our minds!

(to be continued)