The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. Genesis 12:1
Thus begins one of the most important chapters in the big story of redemption which runs through the whole Bible like a doxological drama of grace. Through the unlikely and unsuspecting agent, Abram, God committed himself to gather a people from every race, tribe and people group to love outrageously, cherish forever, and ultimately plant in the new heaven and new earth-the magnificent future-fulfillment of the “land” promise. All of this pan-national redemption and cosmic restoration is coming to pass not because of Abram/Abraham, but because of the One who eventually arrived through the family tree, Jesus, the promised Messiah, Savior and Lord, Jesus. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of every promise God has made… for in Jesus all the promises of God are a unequivocal resounding “Yes!”
Indeed, God has a way consistent way of giving us assignments Jesus alone can pull off. In about an hour and a half I will drive my Dad from his “household” for a “land” he doesn’t know, and I’m the “lucky” agent of such a move. It occurred to me this morning about 2:47 that this may have been the very last night Dad will ever sleep in this house in Burlington, NC. As I strategically picked curios, photos and mementoes with which to decorate his new room in Nashville I could not help but weep and smile. I weep because Dad no longer recognizes the faces on the family pictures I’m taking to cover his walls. I smile because these faces are going to enjoy loving the Dad, granddad, and great-granddad whose face we do know.
I really believe God is going to write some new chapters in his big story of redeeming love as we pull into Nashville mid-afternoon, and like always, Jesus will be the well-deserving hero. Think about for a moment… what is God asking you to do that Jesus alone can pull off? We’re not the promise keepers. He is! Let’s trust him together.