“Abraham’s blessings are mine, I am blessed in the morning, I am blessed in the evening, and Abraham’s blessings are mine.”
This is a popular song Christians always enjoy, anytime it is sang during worship in the church. This is because Christians understand the enormous blessings which God bestowed on Abraham.
No doubt, every person desires good life and the blessings of God, but how many people want to emulate the virtuous character of Abraham and his good relationship with God.
You and I have the potential to be successful like Abraham, but there are standards which we should operate in order to tap from the stream of living water. Now let us critically diagnose the standards which Abraham operated.
RIGHTEOUSNESS: The book of Genesis 15:6 confirms that Abraham was a strong believer in God, who always trusted and depended on Him for everything. Abraham believed the Lord and credited Him with righteousness.
WHAT IS RIGHTEOUSNESS
Righteousness is simply defined as living a holy life pleasing unto God. It is right standing before God and upholding of Good Christian principles and tenants. It could also mean putting into practice fully what the Bible teaches us in order to be saved and make it to Heaven. Our Christian foundation should be rooted in Jesus Christ, the saviour of the world, who gave his life as ransom for our sins. He shed his blood on the Calvary so that we might receive righteousness by faith. Not our own righteousness which comes by our efforts and hard work, but we can receive unmerited gift of righteousness by accepting Jesus who took away our sins and gave us new life.
As we receive Him into our lives and forsake our evil past, He bestows on us sonship. He no longer sees us as slaves but heirs of the father and joint heirs with the son.
All these virtues were noticeable in Abraham, hence God Himself called him “FRIEND” Abraham was human like us yet he pleased God and was blessed. This suggests that if we also emulate Abraham in righteousness and holiness we can also receive divine blessing.
OBEDIENCE: Obedience to all God’s commands brings abundant blessing. Obedience is greater than sacrifice. It is the fastest route at which believers can touch the heart of God. Obedience leads to healing, deliverance, protection, victory and salvation.
One major attributes of Abraham was his desire to obey God, no matter how painful and unpleasant such command may bear on him.
Look at the situation when God requested Abraham to sacrifice his only child unto him. Don’t forget to consider the fact that, it took many years of waiting in faith before Abraham’s wife, Sarah, gave birth to Isaac their son. In fact, Abraham was an old man in his nineties before his son was born.
Let us also consider the calling of Abraham. God commanded him in Genesis 12 verses 1-2: “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you. I will make your name great.
So Abraham left as the Lord had told him. It takes absolute faith in God for a person to leave an environment he has gotten used to for decades to start life all over again in a strange land full of uncertainties. Jesus Christ is the way, the life and the truth. There are no other ways we can be saved and be blessed except the one which Jesus is the pathfinder. Therefore it behooves us to submit totally to His instructions, walk in the light of His words and obey Him always for a successful life.
PEACE AND FORGIVENESS
Abraham was a man of peace who would not allow materialism or lust for wealth to create enmity between him and Lot his nephew whom he took along when God called him. Lot became so ambitious and greedy such that he covetously took the larger part of his uncle’s properties. Abraham demonstrated high sense of maturity in allowing Lot to take the larger part of his property so as to allow peace to prevail. Lot parted ways with Abraham and settled in Sodom and Gomorra. Later there was war and Lot was taken into captivity. When Abraham heard his nephew’s plight; he acted with dispatch to rescue Lot. He did not consider Lot’s attitude or the wrongs he had done him, instead, he forgave him and showed love instead of bitterness. Look at ourselves my brothers and sisters, if you were to be in the position of Abraham, would you have rescued Lot after he had betrayed you? If you have the will power to do so then you are qualified for Abraham’s blessings. Unforgiveness has always been the major obstacle which deprives many people of God’s blessing. We pay evil for evil and we vow never to forgive those who offend us. “You have heard that it was said love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I tell you love your enemies and pray for those who perceive you,” Matthew 5 verses 43. If the world would experience peace, it must start from us, by forgiving those who have wronged us and live at peace with everyone.
In summary, if anyone desires Abraham’s blessing, such a person should forsake his past and focus on Jesus. Before Abraham was called, he was but one and after God blessed him, he became father of all nations.
From your state of poverty, God can move you to a higher pedestal of abundant blessing. Your past sufferings and pain will soon fade away if you apply these principles into your life.
“Listen to me you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord, look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn, look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him he was but one and I blessed him and made him many. Isaiah 51 verses1-2. When God called Abraham, he was just but one but after God had blessed him, he became many. I pray that you too will have a special encounter with God so that you will become blessed in all areas of your life.”
PRAYER;
GOD OF ABRAHAM – I COME TO YOU TODAY. HAVE MERCY ON ME. DELIVER ME FROM PRIDE. DELIVER ME FROM SELF PITY, HELP ME TO OBEY YOU, HELP ME TO FORGIVE THOSE WHO WRONG ME. HELP ME TO LIVE AT PEACE WITH EVERY ONE. HELP ME TO BECOME RIGHTEOUS. AS YOU BLESSED ABRAHAM, BLESS ME TODAY IN JESUS’ NAME, AMEN.
IF YOU ARE TOUCHED AND BLESSED BY THIS MESSAGE AND YOU WANT TO BE A PARTNER OF PETER KAYODE MINISTRIES, PLEASE SEND YOUR DONATIONS TO PETER KAYODE MINISTRIES ACCT. 6020103799 ZENITH BANK. HEAD OFFICE BRANCH. YOU CAN PAY IN ANY BRANCH THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. GOD BLESS YOU.