Monday, August 26, 2013

By: Gwen Hitt

 

Heroes of the Bible Series

Day 5: Abraham

 

Honey....By The Way We Are Moving!

 

Genesis 12:1. 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..."

 

As unbelievable as it seems to us, my husband and I are quickly approaching retirement age. Although we are definitely not planning on retiring tomorrow, we have begun to discuss our options of where we will live .... what we will do.

 

Today's scripture references a man who was called by God to leave his country and his relatives to settle in an unknown land. Genesis 12:2 reveals the three promises that God had for him in return for his faithfulness - "I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others."

 

Now, it is important to note that Abram (who later was named Abraham) was 75-years-old when God spoke to Him. I want you to reflect on how Abraham's wife reacted when he informed her that they were moving. I am sure she had many questions that he could NOT answer... Where are we going? What will we be doing? Will we ever return to our home?

 

I imagine that Abraham did assure her that God had awesome things in store for them if they were obedient to His command. I am not certain if these promises convinced Sara, but we do know that she agreed to follow her husband. Surely, she was perplexed by the promise that her husband would become the father of a great nation because they did not even have children, and he was an elderly man.

 

However...Abraham did not allow anything to stop him from pursuing God's plan for his life. He trusted God in times of severe testing including being willing to sacrifice the son that was born to him at the age of 100 - the son that was to be the heir to God's promise of creating a great nation. His obedience and extraordinary faith did not go unnoticed by God as written in Romans 4:16 - "The faith of Abraham pleased God."

 

My challenge to you today is to do as Abraham did .... be open to God's plan for your life EVEN IF it means leaving behind things that are comfortable or familiar. By doing so, you will be placed in the position (no matter the location) to do His will for your life!

 

Dear Lord, Help me to always realize Your plans for me even when those plans involve drastic change. Give me SUPERnatural peace and strength to always answer Your call.

 

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.