Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Discipleship Tuesday: Not Finished


Read Genesis 15:1-7

            “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  - Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

 
            Abram probably wondered if he had forfeited God’s promise.  Many years passed since the Lord first spoke of a multitude of descendants.  The patriarch gave into fear while in Egypt, lying about his wife and putting her in potential danger.  Quarles arose between his people and those of his nephew Lot, causing a separation.  Circumstances necessitated that Abram do battle with several nomadic kings.  And still no child was born to Sarai.  Perhaps he didn’t deserve God’s promise anymore and would never receive the blessing.

            After all these things, the Lord appeared again to Abram and said, “Do not be afraid, Abram.  I am your shield, your very great reward” (Gen. 15:1 NIV).  God told Abram to get out of his tent and look into the night sky.  In other words, let go of that which your hands can accomplish.  Leave the limitations of the man-made tent and come out into God’s expanse.  Under the night sky, the Promise-Maker tells Abram that his descendants will outnumber the stars.  The troubles and dark spots of Abram’s life have not hindered God’s ability to bring the promise into reality.  Abram would still experience the grace of God in his life.

            The fulfillment of God’s purposes does not ultimately fall on our shoulders.  Scarred and broken though we may be, God’s grace abounds again and again.  Our scars may be the death of a child, the loss of a job, or the debilitation of a disease.  As we keep coming to Him, bringing the years of our wanderings, He is able to pour out His grace and fulfill His purposes.  Our brokenness does not limit God from working in our lives.

Prayer: Thank you, loving God, that Your grace is enough to cover my past, present, and future.  I trust myself to You.

 
Thought for the Day:  God is not finished with you.
 

2 comments:

  1. How encouraging, Rhett! Love the thought for the day and you have no idea how well it went with my quiet time this morning...but He does. :)

    Blessings!

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  2. Rhett, these were wonderful words. I am finishing up a lesson on Abram this Sunday. You said well, "Bring the years of our wanderings, He is able to pour out His grace and fulfill His purposes." Thank you Lord. There are a lot of people wandering who need His grace and purposes. Blessings to you and your family.

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