When you hear or read about ”The Promise Still Stands”, what comes to your mind? God’s promises are eternal, unchanging, and powerful. In Genesis 12:2-3, we read one of the most profound promises in Scripture:
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“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 12:2-3 (NIV)
This was God’s covenant with Abraham, a promise that still impacts us today. As believers, we are partakers of Abraham’s Blessing through faith in Jesus Christ. But how did this remarkable journey begin, and what can we learn from Abraham’s call?
Abraham’s Background and God’s Call
Abraham, originally Abram, lived in Ur, a thriving city in Mesopotamia. Ur was wealthy and prosperous, but it was also idolatrous. It was here that God called Abram:
“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you.’” – Genesis 12:1 (NIV)
This call was a pivotal moment. It was not just about relocating geographically but also about separating spiritually. God was calling Abram to leave behind his past—his culture, his idols, and his old way of life—to walk into a new covenant of faith.
A Call to Salvation and Separation
Abram’s call is symbolic of the call God extends to each of us today:
- Salvation – Just as Abram was called out of idolatry, we are called out of sin into a life of righteousness through faith in Christ.
- Soul-Searching – God invites us to open our hearts to Him, as the psalmist prayed: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts.” – Psalm 139:23 (KJV)
- Separation – To experience God’s promises, we must separate from the world’s influence. The Bible warns: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.” – 1 John 2:15 (KJV)
The Challenge of Obedience
Obeying God’s call often requires faith and courage. Hebrews 11:8 reminds us:
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” – Hebrews 11:8 (NIV)
Abram’s obedience wasn’t perfect. Initially, he left Ur but settled in Haran instead of proceeding to the land God had promised. This partial obedience delayed the fulfillment of God’s promises until Abram fully obeyed and moved forward.
Reflection: The Promise Still Stands
Are you experiencing delays in the fulfillment of God’s promises in your life? Could partial obedience or lingering attachments to the past be the reason?
God’s Faithfulness Despite Our Delays
The good news is that God’s promises are unchanging. Abram’s partial obedience did not cancel God’s covenant; instead, it delayed its manifestation. God’s promises still stood, waiting for Abram to trust and obey fully.
For us today, the same holds true:
- God’s promises are unchanging – “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen.” – 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV)
- God’s word never fails – “Not one word has failed of all the good promises He gave.” – 1 Kings 8:56 (NIV)
Reflection Questions
- Are you fully obeying God’s call, or are you settling for less than what He has promised?
- What steps can you take today to walk in complete obedience and faith?
Closing Encouragement
God’s promises are waiting for you, just as they waited for Abraham. Step out in faith, leave behind the old, and embrace the new life He has prepared for you. The promise still stand!
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we will explore the challenges Abraham faced on his journey and how God’s faithfulness sustained him through them all.