Scripture Reading
The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
So Abram departed as the LORD had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth—his livestock and all the people he had taken into his household at Haran—and headed for the land of Canaan.
~ Genesis 12:1-5, New Living Translation
Reflection
The Lord made wonderful, mind-blowing promises to Abram - promises to create a great nation from His descendants, to give him influence and power. BUT in order for these promises to be fulfilled, Abram had to pay a price: the Lord called him away from everything that was familiar to him, to leave the land of his fathers and to go on a journey to a destination that the Lord had not yet revealed to him.
Personal Application
Do I have the kind of faith that will propel me to obey God's call, even though that call requires me to journey through unfamiliar, uncomfortable territory?
Prayer
Dear Lord, help me to follow You, despite my questions, despite the uncertainty of the unknown. Help me to keep putting my faith in You, knowing that You are my Shepherd, that You have promised to lead me along the paths that You have set for me. You have promised never to leave me alone, and I will take You at Your word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Action
Is there a step you're supposed to take, a new door that's been opened to you, or even just a strong desire and urgency to make a change you believe the Lord wants you to make? Pray about it, seek wise counsel from a trusted mentor, then... Take the first step. Then... see what happens next!
Very good Nicole. Indeed Abraham is considered as a friend of God but he was not one who consistently walked the straight and narrow. In spite of that God granted him grace and took his failings and transformed them into blessings, as in the case of Abamelech. God can do the same for us if we just trust him and walk with him.
ReplyDeleteMuch blessings
Owen Facey
Thanks so much Pastor Facey. It's wonderful reading the Bible and realizing that God REALLY set out to accomplish His will through flawed human beings. It gives so much hope and strength to stay on the journey!
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