“And he said to him, ‘I am the LORD who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.’” – Genesis 15:7

Missionaries function under a covenant of obedience. They are instructed to follow the Lord’s commands and they are promised his plan will be perfectly implemented. God calls his church to train and send disciples into the world. He does not promise a lack of pain or struggle, but he guarantees success. Often times, our definition of success does not match that of the Lord.

The missionary is called to leave their home and reach the lost. Obedience by the missionary ensures God succeeds. This covenant addresses two very lopsided efforts. Like Abram, the disciple of God need only go where and when he is called. The Lord then promises to use the labors of the missionary to gain his glory among the people. Derek Thomas says, “There are covenantal issues of great importance here. God had given to Abraham a promise of worldwide proportions.”[1] The missionary is promised the world, not for his own selfish folly, but for God’s gain.

Like Abram, the missionary is ensured ground will be gained. This gain may be the planting of churches, the teaching of theology, the sharing of mercy, or the discipling of new converts. But, the gain is certain and backed by the word of the Lord. A missionary who is within God’s will cannot fail.

This should give great confidence to missionaries, pastors, and evangelists. Their willingness to move out from safety and comfort means they will have a hand in fulfilling God’s plan. The missionary may not be privy to exactly what victory looks like, but it is certain. To the missionary, the Lord’s gain may look like suffering or loss, but be assured if you are in God’s will and obedient to his commands is triumph is at hand. The Lord sent you, he will use you for his plan.

[1] Derek W.H. Thomas, “The People of God” Tabletalk Magazine, November 2007: The English Reformation (Lake Mary, FL: Ligonier Ministries, 2007), 29–30.