Anchor Devotional

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The Path of God

“When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces.” Genesis 15:17

At the start of each school year, teachers hand out a syllabus—a list of assignments, tests, and expectations. If students fail to meet the requirements, they don’t pass. It’s a simple agreement: do your part, and you succeed.

In Abraham’s time, kings made similar agreements, called covenants, with those under their rule. The terms were laid out, and to seal the agreement, the lesser party would walk between the pieces of sacrificed animals. This symbolic oath was saying, “If I break my promise, may I suffer the same fate as these animals.”

God and Abraham entered a covenant-making ceremony. But something incredible happened: Abraham never walked the bloody path. Instead, God Himself (in the form of a torch and a firepot) walked through on Abraham’s behalf!

This was God’s way of saying, “When—not if—you fail, I will take the penalty upon Myself.” This is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, who took our place on the cross, completing God’s promise to bear our punishment and grant forgiveness. What does it mean to you that God walked the path for you?

SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Genesis 15

INSIGHT
God, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to walk the path of the cross in my place. Amen

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Job 1-2
Psalm 43
Luke 6

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