Somedays life is just hard. The believers hearing 1 John were given a reminder that their faith in Jesus is meant to be a foundation that they can lean on, trust in, and stand on no matter what life sends their way. That learning about Jesus and growing in their faith is wonderful and central, but not to fall into a trap of thinking that their faith rests in their head, but instead rests in the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives.
Contracts are agreements between two people or parties that are created to protect each signee. A covenant is an agreement between two people or parties that is meant to protect the other person. In Genesis 15 God formally makes his promise to Abram, and makes clear the terms of what it will take to uphold the covenant. God reminds Abram (and us) that much in this world is far more about God and less about us.
After some time Abram and his nephew find themselves in a place of conflict. So they are given a choice, options of how to move forward. The choice seems clear from a human perspective, but sometimes God’s wisdom is not the same as human wisdom, and His plans do not match ours.
As Abram traveled, his family drew the attention of other nations, as they would pass by and through. Abram felt a tension that we all know well. Do I need to take matters into my own hands or do I wait for God’s guidance on this?