The magnitude of God’s covenant of redemption for self-exalting wicked mankind cannot be brushed by so quickly. We need to tarry for a moment and look deeply into the covenant made with Abraham; perhaps, there we can begin to understand the significance that covenant holds for us. When God called Abraham out, he had gone as God told him. The covenant was established that through Abraham’s offspring would come the “Blessing to all the earth.” The messiah, the Savior would be born to pay for our redemption.
Artwork used by written permission of Ronald Barba. © 2010 Ronald Barba.
Have you ever needed to run back to the altar where you first came to Christ? (stumbling and with a humbled heart broken by the Majesty of God’s Grace toward you) How often, I have with a broken, contrite heart; humbled by God’s grace fallen before Him in repentance, love and adoration of Him
This covenant of redemption would be based on God’s Faithfulness in spite of man. Abraham, much like we are too often; was a man of great faith at moments and of great failure at times. With great patience and endurance, God remained faithful throughout the process of “growing up” the faith of Abraham. Did God put a hedge about Abraham and protect him from every trial of life? Indeed not. More likely, Abraham faced greater dilemmas than most for the very purpose to
demonstrate to Abraham that God was His greatest treasure, that God was faithful to complete all that He promised, and that this great plan of redemption was given as a gift of grace by an Almighty God. It had not been earned by Abraham because of Abraham’s righteousness. Indeed any moment of righteousness seen in Abraham had been God’s Bestowing of Righteousness. As we take a deeper look at the life of Abraham recorded in Genesis, we will see the faithfulness of God teaching Abraham to trust and rely on God Alone as His provider, His majestic King and His redeemer. The faith that made Abraham willing to sacrifice Isaac was a faith that had been nurtured by God for all the years of Abraham’s life. So let’s look at Genesis Chapter 12. I encourage you to read the whole chapter; but I will include excerpts here. God had promised Abraham that He would bless Abraham. Yet, when a trial came, Abraham went on a journey to Egypt for help and as is usually the case when we march off in a different direction rather than trust God; Abraham became fear filled.
Genesis 12: “10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.”
Abraham in his fear goes so far as to allow Pharaoh to take her to his palace and even accepts a dowry on her behalf of servants, sheep, oxen, donkeys, camels, silver and gold. Before judging Abraham too harshly, take a deep look into your own heart and exam how many times you may have sacrificed your relationship with your spouse or your family only to attempt to gain wealth. This whole scene began by Abraham not trusting God. Yet, in the midst of Abraham’s failure; God remained true. Plaques came upon Pharaoh and pharaoh’s household that enlightened the pharaoh to the truth and led to Abraham and Sarah being cast out of Egypt with all the wealth of the dowry with them. Did God bless Abraham because of Abraham’s sin? Of course not; God protected and blessed Abraham by Grace and grace alone. Abraham was unworthy of any of this favor. Abraham had been humbled by God’s great mercy. Abraham ran to the altar that he had first made. Have you ever needed to run back to the altar where you first came to Christ? (stumbling and with a humbled heart broken by the Majesty of God’s Grace toward you) How often, I have with a broken, contrite heart; humbled by God’s grace fallen before Him in repentance, love and adoration of Him. God had made a covenant promise to Abraham and God is Faithful to His Word. God has promised to finish the work of faith in each and every believer, called to be His child. He is faithful to complete that work, no matter how many trials it will take. He will finish growing up your faith, if you have ever accepted Christ as your Savior. It may be heartache that leads you back to that throne of grace; but inch by inch, step by step He will perfect the work that He has begun.
Do you know Him? Do you trust Him?
In this part of Abraham’s story, once more we see:
1. God’s Covenant Plan of Redemption by Grace through faith
2. God’s Covenant of His Own Faithfulness
There is no need to wait until you get it right before falling before him, come just where you are to sing hallelujah. Even is that hallelujah is like the one sung by The Afters a Broken Hallelujah.
© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
Artwork used by permission of Ronald Barba. © 2010 Ronald Barba. This artwork is copyright protected. If you desire a copy please go to: http://fineartamerica.com/featured/broken-and-contrite-heart-ronald-barba.html
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned with the exception of my own book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”