“Now the Lord had said unto Abram, ‘Get you out of your country and from you kindred and from your father’s house unto a land that I will show you’. . .So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken unto him”
Genesis 12:1, 4a
It may involve “going without knowing where we’re going” (Heb. 11:8), but it always involves knowing with Whom we’re going (Heb. 11:6).
The life of faith.
Abraham, whose name means “The father of a multitude,” is known as “the father of faith” and “the Friend of God” (James 2:23). His was not a perfect faith—as evidenced by his twice having his wife, Sarah, lie about her relationship with him (Gen. 12:9-20; 20:1-18) and his having a child by his handmaiden, Hagar (Gen. 16:1-4). However, it was a simple, persevering faith that took God at His Word and entrusted his life to Him (Gen. 15:6; Gal. 3:6).
Most likely, this patriarch of faith—to whom the Jews, Muslims and Christians look to as their model—wasn’t raised in a God-fearing home. Joshua’s command to the Israelites to “put away the strange gods of their forefathers” (Josh. 24:14-15), including those of Terah, Abraham’s father (Josh. 24:2), seem to validate this.
Archaeologists have unearthed ziggurats in the ancient city of Ur, Abraham’s hometown, in southern Iraq, which were used for offering human sacrifices to the moon god, Sin. Just to the north in the ancient city of Babylon the followers of Nimrod were worshipping the sun god (Gen. 10:8-10; 11:1-4).
So, it’s clear Abraham probably felt like Noah—i.e., a “voice crying in the wilderness.” Yet, like Noah, who interestingly was still alive for almost Abraham’s first 60 years, Abraham continued trusting the Lord after having been called and commissioned “to be a blessing to all nations” (Gen. 12:2; 15:1-6; 17:1-7, 15-21). Little did he know one of his descendants would be the Lord Jesus Christ (Lk. 3:23-34). Glory!!
Such is always the life of faith. So often we view our faith as small and our efforts meager in comparison to others’. And, in reality, they may be; however, the only One qualified to judge us already knew our “frailties of flesh and feebleness of faith” when He chose us and even now intercedes for us as we seek to do His will (Rom. 8:31-34; Heb. 7:24-25). Isn’t that a wonderful thought and assurance? Hallelujah!!
Oh, dear Pilgrim, none of us will win every round in the “fight of faith;” neither will we always win every leg of the Race. However, by “keeping the faith” (II Tim. 4:7) we can rest assured the Heavenly Father will give unto us “the crown of righteousness” when we finally see Him (II Tim. 4:8) and whisper, “Well done, good and faithful servant” when we cross Heaven’s Finish Line (Mt. 25:21).
Therefore, stay faithful and focused (Heb. 12:1-2). The battle is raging, but victory is assured (I Cor. 15:12-58; Rev. 21:1-22:21). Remember who the enemy is (Eph. 6:10-12). . .wear the whole “Armor of God” (Eph. 6:13-18). . .and stay surrendered to the Lord Jesus. That way you’ll still be standing when everyone else has been swept away (Mt. 7:21-27).
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated July 12, 2009
