Devotional - June 12, 2024

Scripture: Galatians 3: 8-9 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” (Gen 12:3, 18:18, 22:18). So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Paul uses an interesting expression in the text today. He says that Scripture foresaw... How does Scripture see anything? Scripture is writings. It can't see. What he means is, when we read the Scriptural text where God blesses Abraham (Abram), we see that the blessing extended beyond just Abraham's family. It extended to all nations. God foresaw the need and accommodated the need through the blessing pronounced on Abraham. A blessing that provided an opportunity for all the nations, the world, to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ (John 3:16). God's provision is one of the major themes taught through the life and faith of Abraham. Abraham will name the mountain where he was asked to sacrifice Isaac, the LORD Will Provide (YHWH Jireh, Gen 22:14). The idea of provision being implied in the name when God provides the ram for the sacrifice. God foresaw the need. I like using the word provision because, when you break it apart, it gives you a better understanding of what God is doing. The prefix pro means, forward. Then add the second part being, vision. So, God's vision is out ahead of us (Abraham) and because of that, God can provide what we need assuming we are living for God. And let's face it folks, God's mercy and love have covered us a time or two when we were not. Let those times of mercy encourage your faith. Not to keep going astray, no, but that your God is willing to stay faithful to you as you grow in your faith and knowledge of God.

Pray with me.., Holy God, we are so thankful for Your grace and Your provision. Hear our praise. May Your goodness and mercy quicken our faith. Hear us, O God, as we pray for our loved ones. We ask Your blessing upon them. We ask Your blessing upon our church, so we can be the people You call us to be. In Jesus name, Amen.

God's peace,

Pastor Brian