Jesus: A Promise Kept

PROPHECY

Watch and wait….
“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

This is one of the early prophecies or promises that God gave to man. God promised Abraham three things.
• He would become a great nation
• He would receive personal blessings
• Through him others (including the Gentiles) would be blessed.

These prophecies came at a time when it was hard for Abraham to understand or believe. He did not even have a child – much less could he see a nation; he was being asked to leave all he knew and strike out for parts unknown and WHAT were Gentiles? But believe he did. And, he acted on that belief. So often we too, have a hard time seeing very far down our path, especially when there is a bend in the road that blocks our view.

Trust to God – as Abraham did – that He will bless your family through your faithfulness. You will personally know blessing upon blessing and those with whom you come in contact will indeed be blessed. As you enter this Advent season, this is a prophecy you can watch unfolding right before your eyes.

Watch and wait for it.


BETHLEHEM

What’s your ‘Bethlehem’ and what will you do with it?

At that time David was in the stronghold, in a cave of Adella, and the Philistine troops were at Bethlehem. David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 2 Samuel 23: 14-15

If you read on in this section you find that David’s men so respected him that upon hearing of his request, they risked their lives and obtained some of Bethlehem’s water. Upon being presented the sweet water, David could not bring himself to drink water obtained at such great risk to his men. Instead, he offered it up to the Lord. It was that special. And rather than being offended, I suspect his men were touched and saw another example of David’s greatness.
But perhaps a more important lesson in these verses is that of not appreciating what one has until it is gone. David had grown up drinking that water and probably thought nothing particular about it. But when he was on the run and not allowed into his hometown, he began to miss and long for the very thing he had always taken for granted.
Bethlehem, even then, was already a special place and one to be sought-after. We all have ‘Bethlehems’ in our lives, whether they are people, God’s Word, worship experiences, time with God, etc. Often, as did David, we also take our ‘Bethlehems’ for granted… sometimes until it is too late.
Look around you this season and take stock of what you value in your life. Take advantage of what you can and when called upon to do so, offer it up to the Lord – whether it is time, money, relationships, future – knowing He may take it and use it in surprising ways or He may return it to you for safe and profitable keeping.