When I started this plan this time around I asked and prayed that I would see Christ from beginning to end since after all scripture from beginning to end points to Christ. Well God delivered for me and I am thankful.
I'm in Genesis right now and have been reading about Abraham and his journeys. Have you ever thought about Abraham and his dealings with other people? I mean more specifically things that are happening not directly to Abraham, but to other people. Have you ever thought about how Abraham responds and acts towards the people he meets?
Think about how Abraham speaks to God on Lot's behalf and prays that God would not destroy the city of Sodom and Gomorrah for the sake of Lot. God listens because of His relationship with Abraham and because Abraham has favor with God. Lot is a beneficiary of Abraham's favor with God.
Think about Abimelech and how he takes Abraham's wife Sarah innocently as his own. Abraham and Sara are the ones that deceive Abimelech and yet God still inflicts upon Abimelech punishment for the sin that he apparently doesn't know he is committing. God speaks with Abimelech and even affirms that Abimelech has acted innocently because God had kept him from sinning with Sarah. Instead of removing the punishment from Abimelech and Abimelech's wife right then, he tells him to go speak with Abraham, "for he is a prophet". Abraham then prays on behalf of Abimelech and because of Abraham's favor with God Abimelech is healed along with his wife.
What about Ishmael the illegitimate son of Abraham? Abraham is told by Sarah to send Hagar and Ishmael away because she will not see Ishmael become a heir along with Isaac. So Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away which is basically into the dessert with nothing more than water and bread. The bible says Abraham was very displeased with this. God promises Abraham that he will take care of Ishmael and make him into a great nation. Why? Because of Ishmael's link to Abraham who has favor with God.
As I was reading the study notes in my bible the Lord showed me the greatness of the favor that Abraham had with God and the blessing that it was for others. The Holy Spirit then showed me that Christ is a prophet as well. Not only that but he is the greatest prophet and his relationship with the Father is unmatched. If God was pleased to listen to Abraham who was a mere sinful prophet, how much more will he listen to the perfect prophet Christ? This brought great joy and excitement because I was reminded that Christ is at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf! May Christ be glorified!
Not only that, but God also showed me the power of prayer and the blessing with which we can pray for others because of our link with God through Christ. I tend to shrink back from praying for good things for others because I sometimes feel as though God is bothered by our prayers for good things that we ask. Even I myself am hesitant at times to be honest with God about my desires and needs. How foolish have I been? Praise be to God through Christ that he has shown me my folly. I pray that God would here my prayers for others so that people around would know and see that favor which we have with God through Christ and so Christ would be exalted, for He is a Prophet! The Great Prophet!
Lord may you continue to renew my mind and others through the Holy Spirit in Jesus Christ name. Amen
1 comments:
Good post Jerm! Thanks for sharing.
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