Devotional Theme: God's Covenant and Calling
Many have asked: Why Israel? What made the Jewish people the chosen nation of God? Was there something extraordinary about them? Did they earn this status? And what does it mean for the rest of humanity?
These are deep and important questions, questions that lead us back to the heart of Scripture and the character of God.
The truth is, Israel was not chosen based on merit, power, or perfection. It was based on God’s sovereign choice and His covenant promise. From the beginning, God has always worked through relationships and calling. And the story of Israel begins with one man: Abram.
đź“– The Call of Abram
In the book of Genesis, we encounter a pivotal moment in God’s redemptive plan for humanity. Amid a world filled with many nations, such as Canaanites, Amorites, Egyptians, Assyrians, and others, God looked upon the earth and found one man whose heart was faithful: Abram.
Abram lived in Ur of the Chaldees, a city in what is now southern Iraq. He was the son of Terah, and together with his family, he later settled in Haran, a region now part of modern-day Turkey. It was in Haran that God spoke to Abram with a life-changing command:
“Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1)
This was not just a call to relocate—it was a divine invitation to trust, to follow, and to become part of something far greater than himself.
God made a promise to Abram:
“I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you… and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”  (Genesis 12:2–3)
With faith and obedience, Abram took his wife Sarai, his household, and his nephew Lot, and journeyed toward the land of Canaan, the land God had chosen for him and his descendants.
God gave Abram a new name,Abraham, meaning “father of many.” Sarai became Sarah, and through them, God established a covenant: a sacred promise that would shape the destiny of a people and ultimately bless the entire world.
This was the beginning of Israel’s story, not born of power or prestige, but of faith, obedience, and divine grace. Among all the nations of the earth, only Israel received an everlasting covenant from God: a promise that Abraham would become the father of a new nation, chosen and set apart.
Sarah, though barren, conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit and gave birth to a son at age 90, while Abraham was 100. When God revealed this promise, Abraham laughed in disbelief. But the Lord responded with a question that still echoes through time:
“Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” (Genesis 18:14)
Indeed, nothing is too hard for God. The universe itself was created from nothing—spoken into existence by His Word. His promises are not limited by human weakness but are fulfilled by His sovereign power and perfect timing.
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🕊️ Chosen for a Purpose
Being chosen did not mean Israel was superior. It meant they were set apart for a divine purpose: to be a light to the nations, to carry the message of God’s truth, and ultimately, to bring forth the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
God’s covenant with Abraham was not just about land or lineage. It was about faith. Abraham believed in God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. His obedience became the foundation for a people who would be called to walk with God.
🙏 Reflection
Today, we can learn from Abraham’s story. God still calls people to step out in faith, to leave behind comfort and familiarity, and to follow Him into the unknown. Like Abraham, we may not see the full picture, but we trust the One who leads – Jesus Christ, the God Son.
Israel’s journey reveals a profound truth: God chooses according to His divine will—not because of human merit, but because of His character and purpose. Through Jesus Christ, this sacred covenant was extended beyond Israel to all who believe—first to the Jews, then to the Greeks, and ultimately to the Gentiles. As the Apostle Paul affirmed, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:29)
The Greeks were among the earliest seekers of Jesus, drawn by a deep hunger for His message and blessings. Their desire to encounter Him was so earnest that they witnessed a moment of divine affirmation: the voice of the Father declaring, “This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased.” This marked a turning point, revealing that the invitation to God’s kingdom was open to all who would receive it in faith.
