HOPE DECLARED

“Now the LORD had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.  I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. 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 12:1-3)

Abram is called to hope!  God declares it.  The promise of God is given of a family and a future—an unbreakable covenant of grace grounded on the unshakable character of God! 

Picture this: Abram was a wealthy man living in idolatry in Ur.  But despite all that he had outwardly, we would suppose that there is a longing inwardly—a questioning, “Is there any hope?”  We can imagine that nagging doubt as at his age, someday—maybe soon—he will leave it all behind, and then what? 

It is an age-old question isn’t it? 

We know that something is missing—what some have called a God-shaped hole in our soul.  What we need is a life-changing encounter with God—for that alone can bring us hope. 

That is the call Abram receives and he responds with faith and obedience.   He does not know where he is going, but he knows where he is—in sin and condemnation—and so he casts caution to the wind and ventures all on the promises of God.

Have you done that? 

You need do nothing to stay where you are—without God and without hope.  That is our natural state.  But, as happened to Abram, God is speaking to you through His Word today—calling you by name to a future and a hope—the hope of heaven!  Heed His call now!