Indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies.
Message: Abraham's Extraordinary God
Time: Genesis is the first book and Moses is credited as authoring. The book spans 2400 years of time. It was originally written in Hebrew.
What the Lord is Saying: The author of this article talks about going to the beach as a family in the summer. Genesis 22:17 speaks of an angel of the Lord from heaven speaking to Abraham after he went to sacrifice his son Isaac (though God stopped it) and giving him the promise that his seed will be multiplied and that multiplication number will look like the sand on the seashore. Yet, Abraham would not experience this in his lifetime. When he died he did not see this multiplying number of offspring.
God's promises are extravagant. To think that he gave a promise to Abraham that his seed will be an numerous as the sand speaks to extreme way that God wants to bless his people. I see this at times in my life, blessing others or giving them hopefully more than they expect. But it is a promise that I need to remember, that God wants to bless his people. So much is spoken of his judgment and wrath and yet, he wants to bless and provide. But it is focused on his called ones.
He blesses us as well in the giving of His Son - giving up His Son at Calvary, on the cross, so that His people will live. If anything, could it be that we make salvation too hard. If God is really a God that wants to give so much to us, is it possible that we restrict His giving by coming up with too many rules to merit salvation. Granted, God is Holy and He is to be respected and esteemed. But sometimes I just wonder about God's extravagant love for his people and what that really means.
Galatians 3:29 is such a powerful verse, "And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heir according to promise." The promise. That is an incredible verse and idea. This connects the dots. The sand on the seashore.
This author states, "So, the next time you’re at the beach, grasp a handful of sand. Then, let it sprinkle from your fist and see in the windswept particles an extravagant promise, a bloody cross, and an extraordinary God."
Prayer: It is hard to fathom God this and that your plan would include me. But, I love the idea that it includes many more than me. To celebrate with one another, cheering, arm in arm, hugging and joyful for the reward that you have for us in heaven is what it is all about. Thank you for your great love, your extravagant Love. You are great and great to be praised. Thank you for connecting these dots and I pray I am one of the particles of sand on the seashore. Help me to communicate this more and more.
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