A Love Story

When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming
torch passed between these pieces. On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram,
saying, "To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great
river, the river Euphrates - Genesis 15:17-18 ESV

Grace and Peace in Jesus~

OK.... I have to admit it. I do love a good love story. I think that my favorite
film is Sleepless in Seattle. I bet if you asked most guys, deep down inside they
are suckers for a good love story.

Some of the best love stories that I have seen are one party pursuing the other
party. They fall in love with that person and they do everything in their power
to make them feel special and feel loved.

You and I are involved in one of the greatest love stories that I know. GOD has
been pursuing us from the beginning of time and still is today. The verse above,
I would guess does not make sense, but read on and I will explain how amazing that
verse is.

Greetings!
To really grasp the intensity of our love story, you have to understand a little
bit about Abram and the time he lived in. Abram lived in a pagan country with his
family. Abram and his family worshipped many gods at the time. You know the little
wooden moon, the infamous golden calf, and the clay goddess to name a few. But,
our GOD loved Abram deeply and wanted to bless him and set a covenant with Abram
so that HE would be his only GOD, and Abram would be HIS people. You have to
understand,
our GOD is a jealous GOD.


So, Abram has all these gods, but one calls to him, and promises him that HE will
make him into a great nation. Out of all these gods, what made this one so special?
Maybe the promise of children, as Abram did not have any children yet? But Abram
listened to this GOD and followed HIM. Right from the start GOD knew what Abram
wanted and needed. Abram, when he started his journey wanted to make it to Canaan,
but never did. Abram settled in Haran instead (Genesis 11:31). GOD blessed Abram
and completed his journey, but at the time, Abram did not know where GOD was taking
him. Abram had faith in GOD.

There was a time when Abram became sidetracked due to a very severe famine. (12:10)
I am sure you can identify with Abram, I am sure you have seen tough times, times
when money was tight, times when GOD seemed to abandon you. Well, GOD knew that
Abram had gotten off track from where HE wanted him, so GOD created a situation
where Abram had to move on into HIS blessing. (12:20)

GOD continued blessing Abram. Abram had become very wealthy (13:2, 13:6) But, I
believe there was one thing that made Abram sad, he and Sarai still did not have
any children, and he and Sarai where not getting any younger. But GOD kept on
promising
Abram that he would be a great nation. There was no way Abram could be a nation without any children.

Here is where the story gets good. Abram had a vision from GOD. GOD told Abram that
HE was his great reward. Abram questioned GOD as he was already very rich, and what
he wanted was a son, and money could not buy a true child. So, really GOD, how can
you help me? GOD also went as far as to tell Abram that the land he saw, was his.
But Abram knew he had no birthright to this land so legally he could not own it.
Abram asked GOD, how do I know what you are telling me is the truth. You and I
really know what Abram was asking, we do it all the time. GOD give me a SIGN! How
many times have you and I asked that?

Well, this amazing GOD did just that. He made a covenant with Abram, and not just
a covenant, it was an amazing covenant. Back in ancient times to make a covenant,
one would cleave animals in half and walk in between the cleaved animals. Strange
I know, but when both parties would walk between the animals this was a sign of
covenance. Read what GOD did for Abram, GOD manifested himself as a smoking fire
pot and flaming torch and passed through the cleaved animals. Now you might be
saying, OK big deal right.

Well, two things to note. As Abram was is a dreadful darkness (15:12) GOD passed
through the animals alone. GOD was taking on ALL of the responsibility of the
covenant
himself. Plus, GOD was promising these things on HIMSELF. HE was swearing these
things on HIMSELF. You can't promise or swear on anything higher, GOD is supreme.
GOD loved Abram (You and I) that much!

The same GOD that pursued Abram is the same GOD that is pursuing you. HE LOVES you,
and wants to be your only GOD. The really neat thing is that we have an entire Book
of covenants from GOD. If GOD said HE will never leave you, HE WON'T. If HE said
that HE will supply your needs, HE WILL. If HE said HE will take care of you, HE
WILL.

But, here is our problem. We see GOD come through for us in a bad situation, and
we are are happy and praising GOD. But then when times are tough again, we WANT,
maybe even demand, another sign. You know we break promises to other people, we
may even break promises to GOD. But GOD has never broken a promise to us. HE has
proven HIMSELF over and over again. It is one thing to believe in GOD, but another
to Believe GOD.

When you are at one of lives crossroads again, remember this verse (15:17) and what
GOD promised you. Know that GOD will come through, wait upon HIM. Abram and Sarai
had the promise of a child from GOD, 10 years went by and no child. Abram and Sarai
decided to "Help" GOD out. They had a son, not the child of promise, Ishmael. Issaic
was the true child of promise. Because of this one mistake, we have all the problems
in the middle east. Remember, GOD will come through, maybe not on your timetable
though. - Have a Blessed Week! Jim

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Thank you Father for loving me so much and keeping after me when I fall or fail.
Father I pray that You will show me the strength to seek You and have faith in
You and not in me. I love you and pray in Your great, loving name, Jesus. Amen

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. - Philemon 1:25