God is leading us on a journey of faith, just as He led Abram. He has promised to travel with us from the beginning, continuing through every battle scar and every pain.
Make no mistake: this is a journey of perfection.
Such a long journey every child of God must make. From enemies of God(faithless and fearful) into adopted sons and daughters in the family of Jesus.
Those among us who struggling with faith as Abram struggled; realize that it does not disqualify any from the family of God. Instead it justifies all. In your weakness, His strength is made perfect.
Romans 8:15 says we have not received again a spirit of fear but a spirit of adoption whereby we may cry Abba Father.
The Great News! We can do nothing to void God's covenant! Instead let us become the strength of God in faith by coming boldly unto the throne of grace! And we shall find that God will add promises earlier thought impossible. God will add to His covenant and never take it away. Come expecting and believe!
Genesis 15:1-6
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I [am] thy shield, [and] thy exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house [is] this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the LORD [came] unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. 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.
The Ceremony
Runaway Bride
Each of us struggles with different issues, for some it may be faith as it was with Abram. But a realization must be made through confession that any weakness cannot break God's covenant... Only the willful decision of the bride can break God's covenant, and cancel the wedding ceremony. In short, you are a no show, leave God at the altar of His eternal covenant. We break the covenant by not coming to the throne of grace, not showing up to the wedding ceremony. Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you. There are no excuses, only doubt.
But for those who will not be deterred from a relationship with God; we must enter into the covenant marriage as the bride of Christ.
Two things will happen as happen in most marriages.
You will receive a new name and a new covenant/vow.
New Name:
Genesis 17:1-7
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I [am] the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, As for me, behold, my covenant [is] with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
God accepts Abram scars, wounds and all. He accepts him as he is, and includes Hagar and Ismael in the covenant. The promise now includes that Abram changes his name to Abraham the father of many nations and not just one. The journey from Abram to Abraham had many ups and downs but in the end, God's covenant remained as oringal as the day it was given and so much more. This is how God welcomes people into His family, by imparting His name unto them in the waters of baptism.
New Covenant:
Genesis 17:9-10
And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This [is] my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
Finally a covenant, like a wedding vow, must be exchanged. It takes two parties to enter into a covenant. A vow to change, a vow to forsake but be performed at the altar of repentance. Before the spirit fills up and we are become new. A relationship that began in faith is made perfect in obedience. An invitation for all people everywhere.
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