Devotional – January 19, 2021

Abraham’s faith had deemed him to be righteous (in right standing with God). God’s promise to him was to make him “The Father of Many Nations”; the fulfillment of the promise was in progress. His promised son, Isaac was the father of twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Jacob was a father to twelve sons; the nation of which God spoke was growing quickly.

The nation of Israel, the descendants of Abraham soon experienced what was revealed to Abraham himself- slavery. Having gone down to Egypt because of a famine, the Israelites grew too large and powerful. Pharaoh, the leader of Egypt was threatened by their large number so he subjected them to be slaves. Their freedom came after 4oo years by the hand of Moses, who led them out of Egypt by the hand of God, and towards the Red Sea. This sea we know was miraculously parted so that the Israelites could cross and be on their way to what God had promised to Abraham for his descendants – The Promised Land of Canaan.

After all the hardships they faced, God still had a great plan, and a promise to fulfill to Israel. As they entered and dwelled in the Wilderness they were to learn the truth about the God of their fore father – Abraham. He desired for them to experience all that was stored up for them on account of Abraham’s faith in God. To teach them what it would take for them to enjoy the favour Abraham did, this is what God told Israel through the mouth of His servant, Moses.

If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth..

Deuteronomy 28:1

As we continue to explore the theme for this week: The Promises of God; today’s topic is The Promise of Blessings. This promise is wider in scope than yesterday’s Promise of Safety; it involved God providing for the everyday welfare of His children. Some of these provisions included:

• Set High Above All the Nations – Authority
• Blessings in the City – Success in Trading
• Blessing in the Field – Success in Farming

• Blessings on the Fruit of the Womb – Healthy and Successful Children
• Blessings on Crops – Abundant Food
• Blessings on Livestock – Great Wealth

• Blessed Basket and Kneading Trough- Daily Food, no Lack
• Defeated Enemies – Victory
• Blessed Work of Hands – Success in Business

The Promise of Blessings are quite appealing; we all desire to receive them; yet there is one condition to be met. The passage began with the phrase: “If you fully obey Me”; even before listing the blessings, the requirement was stated. What an awesome promise we have received from a God Whose love is unconditional and constant. We have the opportunity to receive every good thing we need to have for a good life, and all He requires is that we OBEY. The Bible also teaches a profound truth about God’s blessings:

The blessings of the Lord makes rich, and it adds no sorrow to it”.

Proverbs 10:22

When God fulfills His promise to bless us, there is no pain or hardship involved. May our lives be full of the blessings of the Lord as we fully obey Him. May our faith in God cause us to leave behind a blessing for posterity ( our future generation). May He remember our works of righteousness and pronounce an irrevocable blessing on us and on those who we love.

Be Blessed