Father, we are your children. Grant us a part of your promises.
Last week we looked at Noah, the problems that the world got its self into and how God decided enough was enough and the world needed a good wash to put it right. But humans being human, it didn't take long for the problems to arise all over again.
It's impossible to understand God, because he is totally omniscient, but we sort of assume that he decided the world needed an example of how he rewards those who please him. This then became the master plan, and still is in effect today. God does look after those who please him and want to do his will.
He found a man called Abram. We don't know much about him, other than his genealogy. But we do know that when God called, Abram listened and did what God asked. God promised that he would become a great nation. Now there is two meaning to the world 'great'. It can mean large, or it can mean influential (or sometimes both). God made many promises to him, and some have not yet come to pass. But that doesn't mean they won't, just that they have not come to pass yet.
So what did God promise to Abram?
From the above list we can see that quite a few promises are yet to be fulfilled. Does this mean God forgot?
No. What it means for us is that we now have a chance to be a part of that promise. If these had happened a few hundred, or even a thousand or so years ago we would not have been born, and as such would never have the chance to be included. God has offered us the chance to be included in the promises.
Does that mean this will continue like this forever? No, because God has set a day in which it all will be given. He is waiting for a time when Jesus will come back. Then Abraham will be raised, along with everyone who believes, and they will be given the land, and greatness, and blessings, and immortal life so they can enjoy it. For ever.
God decided the world needed an example of just how much someone could be blessed if they pleased God. Abram had so much he had to move away from Lot because the land couldn't support them. God does that for us as well.
I had an email last week to say that my development contract with the Open University was about to be cancelled, so basically, I needed to find a new job. Today I was offered the position of IT Training and Development Manager for an accountancy company, and got home to find another email asking me if I would come to discuss a Web Manager position. See what I mean? ... so much I can't do it all!
How do these promises relate to us?