The Deal That Cannot Be Altered: Day Three
Day 3: God Walked Through the Pieces
Devotional
In the ancient world, when two parties made a serious covenant, they would cut animals in half and walk between the pieces together. It was a solemn act that said, may what happened to these animals happen to me if I break this agreement. In Genesis 15, Abraham prepared the animals just as God instructed. But then something unexpected happened. God caused Abraham to fall into a deep sleep, making Him completely passive. And then God alone passed through the pieces, in the form of a smoking fire pot and a blazing torch. Let that sink in. God took on the full obligation of the covenant by Himself. Abraham didn't walk through. We don't walk through. God did. Centuries later, darkness fell over Golgotha. Jesus cried out as He was separated from His Father. He was cut off, not because He broke the covenant, but because we did. The Promiser paid the price with His own life to keep a promise He made to us. This is not a distant, transactional God. This is a God who stepped into the darkness so you wouldn't have to. You are loved with that kind of love today.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written,
“Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” - Galatians 3:13
Reflection Question
How does knowing that God took on the full obligation of the covenant, at the cost of His Son's life, change the way you see your relationship with Him?
"God walked through the pieces, not Abraham.
God was saying, may I be cut off from the land of the living if I don't keep my promise."
- Pastor Mike Mura
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for walking through the darkness so I never have to face it alone. Let the weight of what You did on the cross fill me with gratitude and rest today. Amen.