The Lord said to Abram: Go out from your
land, your relatives, your father’s house to
the land I will show you. Genesis 12:1
Very often in scripture the details of a
specific event are left to our imagination. It
could be that the information we may seek is
not pertinent to the story. In the situation
above I would like to know what was Abram
doing when he heard God speak? Was he in
a time of prayer? Working his field?
Resting? Or is this tidbit of information not
pertinent to the story? The important issue is
Abram heard God and responded.
“So, Abram went, as the Lord had told him.”
Genesis 12:4
Another reason we are not given the details
is that they may be too extensive. Reading
the story, we might be led to believe Abram
heard God on Tuesday and immediately left
the next day. But is that realistic? Isn’t it
more reasonable to believe God was
impressing Abram over a period of time he
needed to move from the land of his father?
Moving in those days was much more
difficult than today. Most people did not
travel more than fifty miles. Abram would
be moving hundreds of miles away. Then
consider that this move would require
extensive planning and preparation.
Therefore, it is likely God was speaking to
His servant through prayer, circumstances,
His Spirit, and other people of influence in
his life. And all of this was over an extended
period of time.
It wasn’t that Abram heard the Lord speak
and he immediately left. But rather through
a variety of means both spiritual and
circumstantial God impressed him to pack
everything up and move to an unknown
land. That took a great deal of faith. It could
not have been a spontaneous decision.
God works the same way today. We
generally don’t wake up one morning
thinking I need to become a missionary to
China. Or surrender my life to the pastoral
ministry. These kinds of life decisions come
to us over time. Thoughts come to mind here
and there during prayer, a worship service,
Bible study or in conversation with another
believer. Then more frequently as God
molds our hearts and minds in tune with His
will. Eventually these repeated impressions
build up our faith and belief in God’s calling
so much so we cannot hold back a decision
to follow the Lord’s leading.
Can you identify with Abram? Have you
been feeling a call to do something you have
never done? Or doubt you would ever do? Is
it too difficult to believe God could use your
gifts or talents to accomplish His purposes?
Is it time to listen to this persistent impulse
and to respond in faith?
Trusting God will prove His faithfulness to
provide for every need…
Blessed by you…Bro. Sherman
Leave a Reply