by Faye Schmidt
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But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year (Genesis 17:21).
Read Genesis 17:15–27
God blesses all the other children of Abraham (he married a few times after the death of Sarah), and they establish nations and become rulers of tribes. Hagar, the slave woman who gave birth to Abraham’s son Ishmael, was banished, and Ishmael became the leader of the Arab nation. We later read in Genesis 25:8–10: ‘Then Abraham breathed his last and died … His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah … with his wife Sarah.’
The promise by God to Abraham is that it will be his son Isaac, born of Sarah in her old age, who will be blessed, and salvation will come through his descendants. The line of the Messiah, Jesus, stems from Isaac.
None of these kingdoms is the kingdom that God plans through Isaac. The great nation, the kingdom, that God is establishing is not of this world: ‘The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit’ (Romans 14:17).
There is only one way to salvation, through Christ, the fulfilment of the covenant with Abraham that there would be a kingdom where God’s people would be made right with him and find peace through the gift of faith through the Holy Spirit.
Even though Abraham was often disobedient, doubted God and went his own way, God did not amend, renege on, delay or cancel his covenant with him:
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me’. In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you’.
We praise and thank you, Heavenly Father, for continuing to bless us through the covenant –promise – of your Son, Jesus Christ, who died for me. May the Holy Spirit keep me faithful to you and obedient to your will. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Vic–Tas District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer and for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.
by Faye Schmidt
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me faithful and be blameless’. Abram fell facedown and God said to him, ‘As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations’ (Genesis 17:1,3).
Read Genesis 17:1–14
What an invitation! This is no distant God, but one who seeks fellowship with us. God wants to walk the journey of life with us. Enoch and Noah also ‘walked with God’ (Genesis 5:22,24; Genesis 6:9). Also, before his fall, Adam walked with God.
Sin broke this fellowship between God and us, but through Christ’s blood, we can ‘walk’ with him in fellowship again.
But not only are we to be in fellowship with God, but to be blameless. How can this be? There is no way I can be held blameless or perfect. Christ is our answer. In Ephesians 1:4, we read: ‘For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ.’ From the beginning, it was God’s plan that we would be redeemed and made perfect in his sight through Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Abram was 99 when this invitation to walk with God came to him. Most of us won’t reach that age, let alone possibly be physically able to walk! Whatever our age, the invitation from God is to us all, and we are never too old – to hear the invitation to be in fellowship with God through Christ and respond in faith.
And what did Abram do on receiving this invitation? He ‘fell facedown’, a sign of respect to God and hearing his word. We, too, show our respect to hearing God’s word when we bow our heads, kneel or stand to attention.
We are faced almost daily with instances where God’s name or his words are treated with disrespect, and the concept of reverence is alien to many. Swearing, abuse and mockery seem to be the order of the day.
God, through Christ, has made it possible for God to see us as blameless, perfect in his sight. Therefore, in thankfulness and praise, we witness to his grace and love through our reverence of his name and word.
Heavenly Father may your name be kept holy, and your will be done as I walk this day with you as my guide, leading me to my rest in eternity to your glory. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Vic–Tas District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer and for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.
by Faye Schmidt
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6).
Read Genesis 15:1–11,17–21
The Lord makes a promise to Abram (Abraham), a covenant, that the number of Abram’s descendants will be greater than all the stars in heaven. And for the first time on hearing God speak to him, we read that Abram now affirmed his belief in the Lord and his promises and ‘God credited it to him as righteousness’. Abram’s belief – his faith – made him right with God, not any of the actions and tasks of obedience on his journey.
In Romans 4:2–4, we read:
If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about – but not before God. What does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’
Further, in Galatians 3:6,7, we see the consistency of this message and the impact of Abraham’s belief:
So also Abraham ‘believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness’. Understand then that those who have faith are children of Abraham.
Abraham had received visions from God, heard his voice and obeyed his commands. But it was none of these that made him right with God – that took his belief, his faith.
The same promise given to Abraham is also given to us through Jesus. In Mark 16:15,16, we read, ‘He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned”.’
This is the promise to us that, through our faith, we will be saved and justified before God. But is this something we can do on our own? No. It is the Holy Spirit who brings us to faith, and it is God’s grace that receives us and has mercy on us.
As we dwell in a community of fellow believers, we recognise and accept each other as persons God has made right with him through faith. We are family, the children of God through the gift of baptism and faith.
And what is our response to this wondrous gift? We respond with love and service to our neighbour, not for any reward or merit, but as a demonstration of our thankfulness and in praise.
Heavenly Father, thank you for adopting me as your child and bringing me into the family of fellow believers. May the Holy Spirit continue to renew and grow my faith so that I may be a witness and servant to you. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Vic–Tas District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer and for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.
by Faye Schmidt
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom (Genesis 13:11b,12).
Read Genesis 13:1–18
The land in which the separation of Abram and Lot occurred was already occupied by other people. This was not unoccupied territory, with the Canaanites and Perizzites in residence with their own property, herds and flocks. Abram and Lot were not only competing with each other for space but also in the midst of the original occupiers.
The recording of the separation of Abram and his nephew Lot tells us much about their character. In verse 9 of our text, Abram gave Lot the authority to make the first choice of where he would settle with his herds, flocks and family. Abram did not need to do this. After all, he is the elder, the senior adult. Also, the Lord had spoken to him; he was the one who was following the word of the Lord.
How did Lot make use of such generosity?
First, we note that he based his decision on what he saw – the outward appearance of the scene. We read that ‘Lot chose for himself …’. This was not a decision made for the betterment of others or with protection and safety for his herds, flocks and people in mind. Lot saw ease, comfort and wellbeing in the lushness of the environment and the attraction of the cities. Lot went to the cities – not the plains to rest among his herds.
It was Abram who dwelt on the plains, away from the temptations attractiveness and excitement could offer.
In the choices we make in our lives, are we making them to please ourselves or to please God? Are we looking for an easy, comfortable way out, or do we focus on the promises of God through his Son that we are led not into temptation but delivered from evil to the glory of God? Like Abram gave the choice to Lot, God gives us the opportunity to choose – to follow him, listen to him, serve him and receive his blessings into eternity through his grace.
Dear Lord, help me to choose the way, truth and life that comes through the gift of faith in you and your saving grace. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Vic–Tas District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer and for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.
Let us pray that we do not trust in riches but follow Jesus.
Our Saviour Jesus, it is through you that we come to God.
Do not let us be drawn away from you by the glitter of wealth or the burdens of daily concerns but make us ready to save everything and boldly follow you.
For you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
by Faye Schmidt
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
‘Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them (Mark 10:15,16).
Read Mark 10:2–16
Can you see yourself as one of these children, wrapped in Jesus’ arms and receiving his blessing?
In baptism, God declares that we are his children, co-heirs with Christ. In Galatians 3:26,27, we read:
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
At baptism, we are gifted with the ability to pray the Lord’s Prayer and call on God as our ‘Father’.
As such children, we can place ourselves in this image of having a close relationship with Jesus, our Saviour. This is not a remote relationship, or one held at arms-length, but close, in his arms with his hands upon us, blessing us.
We also recognise from this text that we are part of a family. The plural is used. We are not an ‘only child’ in a relationship with a God who focuses just on us. We are part of a family. When Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer, it begins, ‘Our Father … It is not about ‘me’ or ‘my’. As the children of God, we live in community, in a family.
There is a saying, ‘You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your relatives’. It is not us who choose the members of this family. God established it through Jesus; it is God who says, ‘You are mine’. God claims us and places us in this family. We recognise and endorse this family as we confess our faith together in the words of the Nicene Creed: ‘We believe …. ’
We have been created as individuals, unique – our DNA and fingerprints are ours alone. As individuals, the Holy Spirit seeks to bring each of us to faith and into God’s family, where we are united to form one body.
We give thanks that we can come to you as our Father, knowing it is your will that each of us knows you love us as your children, heirs with your Son, Jesus Christ, to eternal life through your grace. May the Holy Spirit renew and refresh our faith in you daily as we worship and serve you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
by Craig Heidenreich
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You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet (Psalm 8:6).
Read Psalm 8
Psalm 8 speaks of how God has made humankind rulers over the earth a theme repeated a number of times in Scripture.
In Genesis 9, when God blessed Noah and his family after the flood, he said: ‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.’
If we understand what the Lord calls us to, our life takes on purpose. God calls us to partner with him and bring his rulership into the situations we face.
I am aware that whenever I pray the petition in the Lord’s Prayer – ‘Thy kingdom come, thy will be done’ – I, and the rest of the church, am part of the answer.
Let’s take our rightful place and declare, ‘How majestic is your name [Lord] in all the earth!’
Lord, you are great, and everything has been placed under your feet. Please help us to live this day with purpose. Amen.
Craig is married to Beverley. They have recently moved to Kapunda in South Australia after purchasing a ‘renovator’s delight’, which keeps Craig occupied most weekends. He says who needs to go to the gym when you can knock down some walls!
by Craig Heidenreich
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other (Genesis 11:7).
Read Genesis 11:1–9
Today, in Genesis 11, we have the story of the Tower of Babel.
At about this point in Genesis, the biblical account starts describing the events we see in recorded history (perhaps 3000 BC) as people ‘moved eastward’ into the area that eventually became Babylon.
The rebellious attitude that brought about the recent flood is rising again; however, this time, God initiates a new plan – one that continues to unfold throughout history.
There is more to this story than ‘confusing their language’.
God effectively creates the nations of the earth (dividing them into smaller units) with the view of winning them to himself.
In the next chapter of Genesis, Abraham appears, and God says that all peoples of the earth will be blessed through him. That the Messiah will come from his descendants.
As Jesus comes, this plays out wonderfully with the ‘Great Commission’ (go into all the world). Then, on the day of Pentecost, the Spirit enables all to hear in their own languages (a reverse of Babel).
God has been reaching out to the nations of the earth through Israel and the church, and we have the wonderful description in Revelation of every tribe and tongue worshipping before the lamb (Revelation 7:9).
What begins as confusion at Babel ends with united worship in heaven.
Lord, your ways are truly wonderful. Thank you for persevering with us through all these generations, and we look with anticipation to joining that great multitude in heaven, worshipping you for all eternity. Amen.
Craig is married to Beverley. They have recently moved to Kapunda in South Australia after purchasing a ‘renovator’s delight’, which keeps Craig occupied most weekends. He says who needs to go to the gym when you can knock down some walls!
by Craig Heidenreich
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth (Genesis 9:13).
Read Genesis 9:1–17
The flood story is a major deal in Genesis – taking up four chapters in considerable detail.
In chapter 9, the Lord is at pains to reassure Noah and his family by declaring a covenant with them and with his descendants (us).
God is so emphatic about this that he repeats the word covenant seven times (just in case they missed it).
Not only is he saying it, but God also gives a visible reminder by placing the rainbow in the clouds.
One thing I noted in rereading the passage is the reference in verse 13 when God states, ‘I have set my rainbow in the clouds’. This is not just a meteorological phenomenon – it is his rainbow!
In recent years, people with another agenda have claimed the rainbow as their symbol – let’s remember it’s God’s rainbow through which he declares his wonderful covenant.
Lord, we thank you that you are a covenant-making God – that you are faithful, and we live under your new covenant made possible by the death of Jesus. Amen.
Craig is married to Beverley. They have recently moved to Kapunda in South Australia after purchasing a ‘renovator’s delight’, which keeps Craig occupied most weekends. He says who needs to go to the gym when you can knock down some walls!