Genesis 12

“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.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God promised to bless Abram, SO THAT he could be a blessing to others.  In response to the great blessings bestowed on us by God, we should give back: money, time, talents, our spiritual gifts, grace, mercy, love and forgiveness to others. All that we have been given is meant to be used to help others.

“I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭12:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

God promised protection for Abram, but as we will see in Genesis 12 and 20, Abram took matters into his own hands.  He lost faith in God’s protection.  He lied about Sarai and said she was his sister, because he was afraid of what the Egyptians and then King Abimelech would do to him in order to take his wife. God promises protection for us as well, so we need to trust that He will always protect us if we follow His ways.  Do not fear:  “The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalms 118:6), and “I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalms 56:11, NLT) Fear of man can be crippling in your spiritual growth, while fear of God brings true freedom. “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭29:25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭12:7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Abram built an altar for prayer and worship, and as a reminder of God’s promise to bless him.  We need to renew our love and loyalty to God on a regular basis.  We need to remember what He has done for us.  “Remember the wonders He has done, His miracles” (Psalms 105:5).  What wonders and miracles has He done in your life?  Take some time to think back on them and thank Him for what He has done for you.  You may think of things He has done for you in the physical world, but don’t forget the abundant spiritual blessings. He has allowed us to have a direct relationship with Him, and He has given us salvation and the promise of eternal life, through Jesus.