Is there really a difference between the last day of the year and the first day of a new year? I doubt if there is a difference between December 31st and 1st January of any new year. The only difference may be in the consciousness of newness that we have. The New year gives us a feeling of newness, of renewal and re-commitment.
In Genesis 12:1-10, we find the start of a lifelong journey between Abraham and God. The lessons of this life-long journey gives us a template of how we can start the new year, and what to expect in our relationship with God.
In verse 1, God gives Abram a vision filled with promises. This vision and promises formed the bedrock of Abraham’s life and tells all the story about Abraham life. Your God-given vision for 2017 may be the key to your life destiny.
God’s promises to Abraham was dependent on his getting out from his location to another. “Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.” God’s promises are conditional and dependent on our obedience and actions. Obey whatever God tells you in 2017 that will change your destiny.
God promises to Abram in verses 2 and 3 were sevenfold in nature and were fulfilled all through his life time. In obedience, Abram took Sarai, his wife, his family, all their possessions and servants to depart to the land of Canaan where God had asked them to go to. His actions imply that any steps we take to actualize God’s calling upon our lives must include our family and all our possessions. We later come to know that Abraham made a mistake in taking Lot along with him. Be mindful of those you walk with this year.
Abram went through different phases in his walk with God. Abram moved out from his country not knowing where he was going. It was a journey into uncertainty. Our journey with God is a faith journey and is often shrouded in mystery and progresses in phases. We can only know a portion of God’s plans for us in 2017. Each year brings us closer to God’s ultimate plan for our lives.
As Abram departed his country he went along through different territories, we next read in verse 7, “Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the LORD who had appeared to him.” Two things happened here. God appeared to Abram, I suppose because Abram obeyed Him to “move out.” Next, Abram in verse 8, then built an altar unto God who appeared to him. The altar was where he prayed and worshiped God daily to fulfill his promises to him.
Many visions are often lost at this point. God gives us his promises, but we hardly build an altar to actualize his promises. The altar may mean a place of daily worship, a place of sacrifice or a place of fellowship with God. Has God given you a vision? You will accomplish it when you raise an altar unto God to pursue and actualize the vision.
Then in verse 10, we find Abram’s movement into Egypt due to the famine in Canaan. That turned out to be a costly mistake made by Abram. Be careful of the steps you take this year. Don’t run away from adversity, but overcome it by faith. Always pray before you act. Contact: pastoracukachi@gmail.com
