Abraham

 I want to first apologize for the silence. My intentions are to keep my blog updated on weekly basis, but sometimes I just don’t have anything to write…so I don’t. But here it goes…

The story of Abraham has many comparative aspects to my life at the moment. I keep referring back to it.

Genesis 12:1-3 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.”

Abram, whose name later became Abraham, left everything behind to follow the Lord. He had no idea where he was going. All he had was the promise of the Lord; so he clung to it. Instead of giving Abram the big picture, God directed his steps along the way. This has been so characteristic to my life. God rarely, if ever, gives me the big picture. He places a dream upon my heart, but doesn’t let me know how I will get there. He reveals each step when the time is perfect. I, like Abraham, will live as a foreigner for most of my life.

A big struggle in my life is trying to play God in my life. I admit that I can be manipulative of my future, my relationships, and my life. I want things to work out in my favor that I end up trying to take control and doing everything myself, my way.

We see two significant times in scripture when Abraham tries to do things his way, rather than waiting on the promises that God has granted him. Firstly, Abraham lies to Pharaoh saying that his wife Sarai (Sarah) is actually his sister. He fears death and steps out from under God’s protection in order to protect his own life. Secondly, we see Abraham doubting God’s promise. God promised that Abraham would be the father of all nations, and that the nations would be blessed through him. But Abraham and his wife were very old, and he doubted that they would have children. So, he did what he thought he had to. Sarai presented her maidservant to Abraham to sleep with in order that she would bear children for them. They tried to force God’s hand once again and did things their way rather than waiting on the promise that God gave them. God never breaks a promise, nor can He lie. His Word cannot come back void.

There is one more very well-known story about Abraham that I want to compare my journey with. When Abraham finally received the son he had been promised, his faith was harshly tested. God asked Abraham to bring his promised son, whom through which the nations would be blessed, to the top of the mountain to be sacrificed as an offering. God is teaching me that He is always faithful unto his promises, but he will test my faith. He gives us good things, but we have to be willing to let them go. We have to trust God so strongly that we are willing to give up to the point of death, that which we cling to.

Abraham was a righteous man, very full of faith. Though he made a few blunders here and there it is said of him, the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith, Genesis 15:6. I want this to be said of me! May I never doubt God’s promises that He has clearly spoken over my life. May he find me upright and walking in truth and faith!