GOD'S RADICAL PROMISE

I am reading the most powerful book I have read in a long time.  Actually I am listening to Anne Graham Lotz read her book "The Magnificent Obsession, Embracing the God-Filled Life". I also have the hard copy to reference. 

The book is written about the life of Abraham, from Genesis 12 - 24.

"Abraham walked out of Ur of the Chaldeans not only challenged by God's personal command but also encouraged by God's radical promise to saturate him in blessings.  Five times in Genesis 12:2-3 God distinctly promised to bless Abraham.  Thousands of years later, we see how those promises were fulfilled:

" I will make you into a great nation."

Today's Jews and Arabs descend from Abraham.

"I will bless you."

At one hundred years of age, Abraham fathered Isaac, the longed-for desire of his heart.

"I will make your name great."

No name in all of human history is greater than the name of Abraham, except the name of Jesus Christ.

"You will be a blessing."

Abraham not only longed to receive God's blessing, he began to long to impart it to others...and he has for the past four thousand years.

"I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse."

God would so fill Abraham's life, so identify with him, that the way others treated him God would consider to be treatment of Himself. God blessed Abraham's friends and destroyed his enemies.

"All peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

Anne says "These were God's radical promises. They were promises to enlarge the scope of Abraham's life beyond anything he could have thought to ask for.  God desires to enlarge each of our lives, usually beyond what we can imagine, if we are willing to let Him."

She says "It's also important to understand what is meant by "God's blessing." God's blessing is not the same thing as wealth health, prosperity , and a problem-free life.  Blessing is the presence and peace and power and provision and pleasure of God in my life".

This is what I desire...God's blessing, the blessing of His presence, His peace, His power, His provision and the pleasure of God in my life.  Is this too much to ask for? Not at all.  He says in His word that He will give me the desires of my heart.

"Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4