By Jill Briscoe
“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
Have you ever wondered why God blessed you by calling you to Himself? Did you realize that when He gave this promise to Abraham He had all the families of the earth in mind – even those yet to come? God called Abraham and blessed him in order that he might become a blessing to others. God promised him, “All the families of the earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3). This is one of the most important verses in the whole of Scripture. Our families – whether Jew or Gentile – can be part of this blessing promised to Abraham. The blessing has to do with a spiritual inheritance – a promised Savior, forgiveness for our sins, and a home in heaven for people of all races, colors, and creeds.
If we belong to the Lord, we have not been blessed just to be blessed. We have been blessed to be a blessing to others. The same applies to our families. God wants us to have not only our families in mind but all the families of the world. This is what Christian families are for.
Everything that God gave Abraham – children, fame, honor, and status (Gen. 12:2-3) – was given to him in order that his descendants would continue what God had begun in His promise to Abraham. They were to pass on the blessing to future generations. We ordinary people in a family are saved to serve the extraordinary purposes of God. We must use whatever material, substance, social standing, influence, and honor that God has given us for the good of others.
Lord, thank You for my Christian heritage! You blessed me with many family members who showed me how to live for You. You also blessed me with a church family who nurtured me and taught me Your ways. Show me each day how to use all of these blessings to accomplish the work You have for me to do. Amen.