*DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTIONAL*

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2020

*ABRAHAM: FATHER OF FAITH*

*BIBLE READING: GENESIS 15:6; ISAIAH 51:1-2*

*"Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham ." Galatians 3:7(NKJV)*

As we have emphasized in previous devotionals, the faith-driven life is the normal Christian life. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that our Lord Jesus Christ is "the Author and Finisher of our Faith." (Hebrews 12:2a). In other words, the Lord is our Ultimate Model of Faith. However, when God Almighty decided to choose a nation upon the Earth to reveal His Glory to the rest of the nations, He chose one man named Abraham.

One of the first things keen observers notice about Abraham is his original birth name, as one of the three sons of Terah, he was named Abram (literally meaning "Exalted Father)." Considering the fact that Isaac the son of Promise was born after a twenty-five year delay, one can imagine the mockery he had to endure anytime someone would mention his name. According to Genesis chapter 17, when the Lord established the Covenant of Circumcision with him, he was ninety-nine years old when his name was changed to Abraham (literally meaning "Father of Multitudes". Even in times of uncertainty when Sarah had gone far beyond menopause, he remained steadfast as the Scriptures tell us clearly: *"He did not waver at the Promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving Glory to God, And being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore "it was accounted to him for righteousness."(Romans 4:20-22)*

Infact, when God Almighty, Whom Abraham knew to be the Embodiment of Integrity, instructed him to sacrifice Isaac his heir as a burnt offering upon the mountains of Moriah, the unshakeable faith of Abraham is recorded for all to see. When Isaac asked him where the lamb of sacrifice was, Abraham replied him with one of the greatest faith-filled sentences ever known to man: *"And Abraham said, "My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering." (Genesis 22:8)* Such faith! Such absolute confidence! As Abraham lifted the knife to slay Isaac, he remained totally convinced that even if he actually killed his son, God was more than able to resurrect him in order to fulfill His Promise to Abraham as the Father of many nations (Hebrews 11:19).

The good news is that we as Christians are connected to the blessings of Abraham through our union with Christ. After successfully passing the Isaac Test, God Almighty swore by Himself that He would multiply his descendants "as the stars of the Heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore."(Genesis 22:17)
The sand on the seashore refers to the Nation of Israel, Abraham's earthly seed while the stars of the Heaven refer to the New Testament Church, Abraham's heavenly seed. How glorious and fortunate it is for us to boldly declare that in Christ, we are "Abraham's seed and heirs according to the Promise." (Galatians 3:29)

*PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we adore You and bow down before You. Thank You for raising father Abraham as a standard of faith. As the prophetic seed of Abraham, we enter fully into all the blessings of the Covenant You cut with him. We appreciate You, Heavenly Father, in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

*INSPIRATIONAL SONG

Abraham's blessings are mine,
Abraham's blessings are mine.
I am blessed in the morning,
I am blessed in the evening.
Abraham's blessings are mine.