JANUARY 10

“Get up. Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s house,” God commanded Abraham. Abraham was 75 years old when he stepped out by faith to embrace his destiny. Do not let age be a factor in your obedience. God knew your age when He called you. The psalmist David declared, “Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee” (Psalm 39:5).

An aging man, walking alone beneath the stars–now God speaks to him once again:

And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.  (Genesis 13:14-17)

Separation leads to revelation, and revelation leads to destiny. God tells Abraham, “Your destiny is unlimited. Look north, south, east, and west. I will give the land to you!”

A great story–but much more than a story. More than a historical record of the birth of the nation of Israel and the beginning of the destiny planned for God’s chosen people. More than the story of one man. It is the story of a divine covenant–the supernatural promises of God–intended to pass from generation to generation, down through the centuries. It is the story of divine destiny–and it affects you!

God made specific promises to Abraham to which He committed Himself. This contractual agreement has been called the “Abrahamic covenant.” The Bible records several occasions where God appeared to Abraham to make, confirm, or amend these promises.

The provisions of this agreement, which ultimately would result in blessing all the families of the earth, were not only extended to Abraham, but to his seed after him–Isaac, Jacob, and the nation of Israel. Abraham would be the father of Israel and many other nations (Genesis 17:5). Though childless at the time, with a barren wife beyond child- bearing years, Abraham believed these promises from God and acted upon them: “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness” (Romans 4:3).

God’s promises to you may seem impossible right now, but if you act upon them in faith as Abraham did, they will become reality.