Call us now:
God works with people through promises. He speaks. He commits Himself. He keeps His word. One of the clearest examples is His covenant with Abraham. This covenant shapes the whole story of Scripture. It explains God’s plan for families, nations, and salvation. It also explains your place in that plan today.
This message will walk you through:
- Who Abraham was
- What a covenant is
- What God promised Abraham
- How Abraham responded
- How this covenant affects you today
We will use simple words. We will use the Bible. We will stay practical.
- Who Was Abraham?
Abraham was not born a hero of faith. He was an ordinary man from a place called Ur of the Chaldeans.
The Bible says:
“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.’” Genesis 12:1
At that time his name was Abram. Later God changed it to Abraham.
Important facts about Abraham:
- He came from a family that served other gods. Joshua 24:2
- He had no child with his wife Sarah. She was barren. Genesis 11:30
- He had no land of his own. He lived as a traveler. Hebrews 11:9
Yet God chose him.
This teaches you something simple:
- God does not start with perfect people.
- God starts with willing people.
- What Is a Covenant?
A covenant is more than a promise. It is a binding agreement. It is serious. It is strong. It is meant to last.
In Bible times:
- A covenant often involved blood.
- It showed commitment even unto death.
- It could not be broken easily.
God did not just give Abraham advice. He entered into a covenant with him.
The Bible says:
“On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: ‘To your descendants I have given this land…’” Genesis 15:18
This shows you something important:
- God ties His name to His promises.
- God takes responsibility for what He promises.
- The First Call and the First Promise
When God first called Abraham, He gave him clear promises.
“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. I will make you a great nation, I will bless you and make your name great, and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’” Genesis 12:1–3
Look at what God promised:
- A new land
- A great nation
- A great name
- Blessing and protection
- Blessing for all families of the earth
Abraham had to do one main thing:
- Obey and go.
Verse 4 says:
“So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him…” Genesis 12:4
Faith always moves your feet.
- The Promise of the Land
God promised Abraham a land.
“The Lord appeared to Abram and said, ‘To your descendants I will give this land.’” Genesis 12:7
Later God repeated it in more detail:
“Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are… for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.” Genesis 13:14–15
What is striking?
- Abraham never owned this land fully during his lifetime.
- He lived in tents. He moved from place to place.
Yet he believed God.
The Bible explains this:
“By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents…” Hebrews 11:9
This teaches you:
- God’s promises are sometimes bigger than your lifetime.
- You walk by faith, not by sight.
- The Promise of a Son
The biggest problem was this:
- Abraham had no child.
- Sarah was barren.
- Both were old.
God addressed this directly.
“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Genesis 15:1
Abraham answered honestly:
“Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless…?” Genesis 15:2
God replied:
“This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” Genesis 15:4
Then God took him outside and said:
“Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them… So shall your descendants be.” Genesis 15:5
Here is the key verse:
“And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” Genesis 15:6
Important lessons:
- God responds to honest questions.
- Faith means trusting what God says, even when it looks impossible.
- God counts faith as righteousness.
- God Confirms the Covenant
In Genesis 15, God did something unusual. He asked Abraham to prepare animals. Then God passed between the pieces in the form of a smoking oven and a burning torch.
This showed something powerful:
- God took the full responsibility of the covenant on Himself.
- God was saying, “I will do this.”
The Bible says:
“On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram…” Genesis 15:18
This means:
- The promise does not depend on human strength.
- It depends on God’s faithfulness.
- Abraham’s Mistake With Hagar
Waiting is not easy.
After many years, Sarah suggested a human solution.
“Go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” Genesis 16:2
Abraham agreed. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael.
But this was not God’s plan.
Later God said clearly:
“My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.” Genesis 17:21
Lessons here:
- Do not rush God’s promises.
- Human shortcuts create long problems.
- God’s plan cannot be replaced by human ideas.
- The Sign of the Covenant
In Genesis 17, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham.
- Abram means exalted father.
- Abraham means father of many nations.
God said:
“I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you.” Genesis 17:6
God also gave a sign of the covenant, which was circumcision.
“This is My covenant which you shall keep…” Genesis 17:10
This sign showed:
- They belonged to God.
- They were set apart.
- They were under covenant.
Every covenant has a mark.
- The Birth of Isaac
At the appointed time, God did exactly what He promised.
“And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken.” Genesis 21:1
She gave birth to Isaac.
Abraham was 100 years old.
What does this show?
- God is never late.
- God keeps His word.
- God does not need ideal conditions.
- The Test on Mount Moriah
In Genesis 22, God tested Abraham.
“Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love… and offer him there as a burnt offering.” Genesis 22:2
This was a hard test.
Abraham obeyed.
When he raised the knife, God stopped him.
“Do not lay your hand on the lad…” Genesis 22:12
Then God said:
“Because you have done this thing… in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 22:16–18
Important truths:
- God tests faith to strengthen it.
- God never intended Isaac to die.
- God wanted Abraham’s full trust.
- The Heart of the Covenant
The covenant has three main parts:
- Land
- Descendants
- Blessing to all nations
The blessing part is very important.
God said:
“In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:3
This shows:
- God’s plan was never only for one family.
- God’s plan was for the whole world.
- What This Means for You Today
You might ask, “What does this have to do with me?”
A lot.
The Bible explains:
“So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.” Galatians 3:9
And again:
“If you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29
This means:
- The covenant is about faith, not bloodline.
- God welcomes all who believe His word.
- You become part of the promise through faith.
- Lessons You Must Keep
Here are practical lessons from Abraham’s covenant:
- God calls you out before He blesses you. Genesis 12:1
- God’s promises often require patience. Genesis 15 to 21 shows many years of waiting.
- Faith means trusting God’s word over your situation. Genesis 15:6
- Shortcuts bring trouble. Genesis 16
- God keeps His promises exactly as He says. Genesis 21:1
- God tests those He trusts. Genesis 22
- Your Response Today
God still works by covenant promises.
Your part is simple:
- Hear His word.
- Believe His word.
- Obey His word.
- Walk with Him daily.
The Bible says:
“He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God.” Romans 4:20
And:
“And being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” Romans 4:21
This is how you should live.
- A Final Encouragement
Maybe you are waiting for something.
- A breakthrough
- A change
- An answer
- A fulfillment
Remember Abraham.
- He waited.
- He believed.
- He saw God’s faithfulness.
God’s promises do not expire.
The Bible says:
“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen…” 2 Corinthians 1:20
Hold on to God’s word.
Walk in faith.
Trust His timing.
He is the same God who called Abraham, who made the covenant, and who kept every part of it.
And He will keep His word in your life too.