Blessing Our Community - Day 43

DAY 43 - Sunday, May 12, 2024

Genesis 12:2 (NASB)
And I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.

Scripture Insights
You have likely heard the phrase “blessed to be a blessing,” which originates from the Abrahamic covenant in Genesis 12:2. God would bless Abram and make his name great—so that Abram would be a blessing to others.
Blessing others has a boomerang effect. In Genesis 11, we find the story of the Tower of Babel, where the people desired to build a city with a tower that reached to the heavens. Genesis 11:4 says they wanted to “make a name for [themselves].” In doing so, they would not be scattered across the whole earth. Their selfish desire resulted in the opposite effect. Rather than staying gathered in community, their selfishness led to their scattering. It always does.
By contrast, in Genesis 12, God offers another path. God will bless Abram. Abram isn’t blessing himself. God will make Abram’s name great. Abram isn’t making his own name great. Abram is called to take the incredible blessing of relationship with the Father and use it to bless others. In doing so, guess what? Abram will find community! His people will be rooted in one place and will not be scattered.
If you desire for your church to be a place of true community, then it starts with blessing others.

Today’s Prayer
Father, with the many blessings you have given us, we desire to be a blessing to our communities. Help us to bless our neighbors; as we do so, may they come to know and follow you.

What is the Spirit saying to you today?

—Scott Rainey
Global Director, Nazarene Discipleship International