LifeLink Devotions for Friday, August 30, 2024

When teaching about faith, the Bible uses Abram, later to be called Abraham, as the primary example. The New Testament writers refer to Abraham seventy-seven times to help us to understand what faith is. There are obviously some important lessons we can learn from this man’s life as we grow in our faith. 

At the beginning of the story of Abram in Genesis 12, we hear the voice of God speaking to Abram and asking him to leave his country, his people, and his father’s household and go to an unknown land.

Genesis 12:1-5 “The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth  will be blessed through you.” So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.”

Carefully reflect on all that God was asking Abram to do:

1.      Leave his homeland – I grew up leaving my homeland all the time. As a pastor’s son we moved every 4 –5 years on average. Leaving the beautiful state of Michigan in my 9^th grade year was supremely difficult. I am so glad to be living again in a land of such diversified beauty and outdoor activity. I know how hard it is to leave a geographic area that is loved as home.

2.      Leave his people – Those of you who have lived in one area all your life probably don’t have a good understanding of this. There really are different cultures out there, and you don’t have to go outside our country to find them. I discovered different cultures every time I crossed state lines, and it’s hard to adjust to them. Because we are relational beings, people bring us comfort. New people tend to scare us. Abram was asked to leave his relational comfort zone.

3.      Leave his father’s household – For me at this stage of my life right now, this would be the toughest of the three. Family means everything to me and having them nearby is very significant.

4.      Go to an unknown land – No maps, no web site to preview the housing options, no contacts with anyone who’s already been there, no knowledge of even where he is headed. Just a general direction.

As we reflect on those four issues that Abram had to deal with, I’m sure we can relate to at least one of them in our lives right now. God is giving us all daily direction, and I think we are all guilty of giving God daily guidelines for that direction. We state our cases and concerns before we listen to His course. We predetermine the parameters of a positive response to His position and purpose. “I’ll do it if I can do it from here.” “I’ll go only as far as this cultural border.” “I’ll go if my family can go with me.” I’ll go if you tell me where I am going.” 

We must ask ourselves if we are putting conditions on God’s commands. That is not wise, but foolish. It is not faith. I seriously want to emphasize this point to all of us. Faith in God does not ask for answers, nor does it foolishly protect personal preferences. If faith does those two things, then it is not faith in God but rather it is faith in human wisdom and personal preferences. Think about this carefully in light of your current life decisions. Are they being made in true faith in God alone?

Pastor John