Mensa Otabil - God's Promised Inheritance
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God appeared to Abraham in Canaan, declaring that this land would be given to his descendants, revealing the purpose of his long journey of faith. In the same way, we may arrive at seemingly ordinary places without realizing they are the fulfillment of God’s promises for our lives.
The Unexpected Promise in Canaan
Go to our text for today, which is Genesis chapter 12, verse 7. Then the Lord appeared to Abraham and said, «To your descendants, I will give this land.» There he built an altar to the Lord who had appeared to him. Abraham started a journey of faith. It began from the Ur of the Chaldees. He went through Haran, and then he left Haran. He had been wandering and moving, and eventually, he arrived at a place that he didn’t know held any significance for him.
When Obedience Feels Pointless
He reached the land of Canaan, and there God said, «This is it. This is what I told you to leave your own country for.» Many times, when we are obeying God and doing the will of God, we have no idea where He is taking us. We arrive at places and situations that don’t seem to hold any meaning for us. But sometimes, in the meaninglessness of life, God shows us meaning.
God Turns Ordinary Places into Promised Lands
In a place where there seems to be no purpose, God reveals purpose. Things that don’t seem to have any impact, God gives impact to. So on our journey of faith, we must not underestimate the moments, the days, the places, and the seasons that we go through because things that don’t make sense to you today may actually be what God wants you to be doing.
You Might Already Be in Your Canaan
You may be in your Canaan and not know that you are in that place. So when the Lord is leading us, all we do is keep our eyes on Him until He opens our eyes to see how far He has brought us. The Lord brought us to a place similar to Abraham’s. It didn’t seem like a very auspicious place or moment, but you can arrive at a place that may seem like nothing.
The Moment God Reveals His Purpose
In that place, God ordains His purposes, and that’s what He did for Abraham. That’s what He has done for us. That’s what He will do for you. You may be in your Canaan right now and not know it. And who knows? Maybe this year you’ll find yourself in the place that God wants you to be.
Finally Arriving at God’s Appointed Place
When you get there, He’ll tell you, «After all the wandering, you finally got to where I want you to be: your Canaan, your land of promise, the land of purpose, and the land of God’s habitation.» We are expectant that as He has done for us, He will do for you in your own enterprises, in your own endeavors, in your own activities, in your own hopes, and in your own aspirations.
Your Journey Will Finally Make Sense
As you journey on, may you find yourself in the place that God wants you to be. So your journey will make sense, your struggles will make sense, your difficulties will make sense, and everything will make sense to you. We are in that place, and we thank God, the one who leads us on the journey and the one who brings us to the appointed place.
A Simple Prayer of Faith
Let’s share a word of prayer together. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, thank you for leading me along the journey. I receive your promised inheritance to me in Jesus' name. Amen.»