Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying, As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you will be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram,
But your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.
I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings will come forth from you. I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” Genesis 17:3-8 NASB
Sometimes when I buy one thing, it comes with another necessary thing. Its called a package deal. Some people want the blessings or gifts of God, without the relationship and responsibilities of being His! Abram got a package deal from God. It was now time for the manifestation of the promise that Abram would have a son and descendants through Sarai. God commemorated the moment by changing Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah. The promise was more than just possession of the land of Canaan, it was that God would be their God. Not every descendant wanted the package deal and they suffered for it.
How about me? How do I embrace the responsibilities of being a Christian (follower of Jesus) with the blessings? I am fulfilling my part of the covenant?
God, as this day begins- I thank you for Abraham’s demonstration of saving faith in response to the everlasting covenant which foreshadows the real covenant, the one made in Jesus blood that paid the penalty for my sin, opened the door of access to You, and provided blessing beyond measure. Help me keep my part- continued faith in You and obedience. What a deal! The package is beyond belief. For that I am grateful. As I meet and talk with families who have lost loved ones, please keep my heart tender as I lead them in a way that honors You and their lost dad, son, friend, etc.
