August 1 - God’s mission for his “so-that” people
This month we are going to be taking a look at the unfolding of God’s covenant promises made to Abraham, our father, in Genesis 12-25. From the opening words of Abraham’s call to follow God, and in the words of blessing and promise, God spoke to him; it was plain that God had glorious purposes in view: one day all of the families of the earth would be blessed! God’s focusing of His covenant promises in Abraham had always been with a view to the gospel’s one day going out to the whole world.
In Genesis 18:19, God Himself lays out His Missionary heart and purpose with a chain-of-events. Why has God chosen Abraham and known him in love? So that he may command his children after him, so that they may keep the way of the Lord. Why? So that God may bring about the promise spoken to him, namely, so that the gospel would bring blessing to all nations, to the ends of the world.
May we be challenged, encouraged, and equipped to be such a conscientious “so-that” people through our study together this month.
O God, show mercy to us, and bless us with your grace;
And cause to shine upon us the brightness of your face;
So that the whole world over, may truly know your way,
And so that your salvation all nations see displayed.
O God let peoples praise you; let all the peoples praise.
Let nations come rejoicing and songs of gladness raise.
Since God, our God will bless us. Yes, God will blessing send,
That all the earth may fear Him, to its remotest end.
Psalm 67-B from the Trinity Psalter Hymnal
Get out of your comfort zone
“Now the LORD had said to Abram: Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.” - Genesis 12:1
Scripture reading: Genesis 11:26-12:9; Matthew 28:18-20
That are we here for, really? For the glory of God, for building Christ’s church, for the good of our neighbor. But too often we get distracted, don’t we? Have we grown too comfortable?
God called Abram to follow Him with glorious purposes. Through Abram, God would one day bless all the families of the earth. That was Abram’s—and our—“so-that” mission. But somehow, Abram got waylaid. Distracted from the call, he settled down in Haran. Thankfully, God would not let him stay comfortable and graciously persisted: “Get out, come follow Me, and go!”
God’s call still goes out today. He may not call you to leave your country, or even your family, but He calls you to come to Him for mercy, to follow Him in faith, and to count all else secondary to His great purpose: bringing the gospel to the nations!
Are there areas where you have settled and grown too comfortable? Are you settling in sin? God graciously calls you to come to Him for mercy and to follow Him more closely. He won’t let you remain stuck in your comfort zone or your sin. His call is gracious, kind, compelling, persistent, and powerful. Praise God!
Humanly speaking, things didn’t look hopeful for Abram, who was to be a father of many. Sarai, his wife, probably about 65 then, was barren. But is anything too hard for the LORD? God isn’t finished with Abram, yet—or with you!
Suggestions for prayer
Reflect on where you’ve grown too comfortable—even in sin. Pray for forgiveness, and in that joy pray for new strength to get up and go!
Pastor John A. Bouwers is pastor of the Hope Reformed Church (URCNA) in Brampton, ON, where he has served since December 2017. He is married to Julie, and they praise God together for His abounding grace and covenant faithfulness. And it is their prayer that together with all of God’s people they and their descendants may be thankful “so-that” people, being taught the ways of the Lord, embracing the promises of the Lord, keeping covenant with the Lord, and then getting out of our comfort zones, “so-that” many more from all the nations may be glad to know God and worship Him. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com....
