Searching for God in His Promises

The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. (Genesis 22:15-16 NIV)

Sometimes God’s promises are unconditional.  Sometimes they are conditional.  God’s promise was conditional until he met the terms of the condition.  Abraham was willing to give up his own son if necessary. 

I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. (Genesis 22:15-17a NIV)

Once he passed the test, then, God’s promise became unconditional.  God was going to bless Abraham, making his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky.  Abraham would not get to see this promised fulfilled while he was here.  It would take two generations to produce two grandsons (Esau and Jacob) and another generation to produce the boys who would eventually become the twelve tribes of Israel.  It would take until the days of Moses, around 500 years later, until Abraham’s descendants were as numerous as the sand on the seashore.  But it happened.  God was true to His promises.

Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me." (Genesis 22:17-18 NIV)

Perhaps more importantly, God continued to reach out to generation after generation so that they would walk with Him and He would be their God.  God gave and fulfilled promises to get their attention, reveal Himself, and build their trust.  God showed them that He was a fair God, a faithful God, and a loving God.  With each promise made and fulfilled, people learned more and more about the God who created the heavens and the earth, knit them together in their mother’s womb, and still holds all things together.  People sought God through His promises and through their search, they found Him.

How about you?  Have you searched for God through His promises?  What have you found?