Reading about Abraham this morning, I noticed that God revealed himself to the prophet on many different occasions. Every time he appeared to Abraham, God revealed more about his vision for Abraham's life. It took decades for everything to unfold. Abraham took plenty of foolish and wrong turns on the path. And still, God used him.
Early on, God had promised that through Abraham, all the peoples of the world would be blessed. Years later, God puts him to the test. God calls Abraham to sacrifice his son, his only son, whom he loves. The prophet obediently takes his son to the mountain for the sacrifice. But as his knife is raised to take his son's life, Abraham hears the angel's voice, telling him not to kill his son after all. His obedience to God's vision is the pathway for God's blessing.
God tells him, "Because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all the nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."
Even though we don't get the whole picture, we can obey God as he leads us in life, step by step. It is through our obedience that blessing comes. And he can bless countless others, when we obey him. His blessings have a purpose, and who knows how many people can be blessed when we obey?
I want to find out!
