God Makes a Promise

Read Genesis 15-17
 
Genesis 15:18 So the LORD made a covenant with Abram that day and said, “I have given this land to your descendants, all the way from the border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River.”
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Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai, ‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.  2 I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.”
 
A covenant is a promise of one person to another or between two or more people. We know most covenants as agreements or contracts signed and sealed for legal fulfillment between two or more people.
   But God makes a one-sided, a unilateral covenant. Think of it. God came first came to Abram in Genesis 12:3b All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” Then 24 years have passed. Is the covenant still intact? Yes. God once more said to Abram, “the Lord made a covenant with Abram that day” and “I will make a covenant with you”. God made it, and God will keep it.
   God’s covenants mark his story throughout the Bible. He made a covenant with Adam to be fruitful. He made a covenant with mankind that he will send one to destroy Satan’s authority. We see the rainbow today as God’s promise no flood would destroy the earth again.  
   God’s covenants are personal because he is a personal God. Note in your Bible that “LORD” names God. This is the Hebrew word “Yahweh”. It means “HE IS”. This defines his eternal character. He is self-existent, eternal, our all-in-all if you will. “I AM” is another form of “LORD”. God introduces himself to Moses with this name in Exodus 3:14.  
   Very importantly, “LORD” also reflects his mercy, personal provision for you and his promise to restore humanity to be Yahweh’s people. “LORD” points to his faithful presence with his people to have a personal relationship with those who trust him.
   That is why the LORD makes the covenant with Abram. In his grace, HE IS came to sign his covenant with the blood of the animals. The LORD will re-state it with Isaac and Jacob. He will repeat it to Moses and to the prophets. Then I AM will come as a man to fulfill this covenant through the cross. From the cross and resurrection comes the New Covenant of faith in Jesus crucified, died, buried, risen and ascended.
   From Genesis to Revelation, LORD’s promises move him to save us. No one can stop him. He has signed his agreement in blood. If you are a child of the covenant-making God, praise him for his deep love and eternal care on your life.