WATCHWORD:
Abraham believed God… Romans 4:3
He went out, not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8
1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Genesis 22:1-2
If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26
Meditation:
Where Are You Being Led?
Oswald Chambers has an exceptional devotional on faith, drawn from Abraham’s life. As I read it I found several points revealing to me. For example: “Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led,” and I could add ‘why’. Why am I being led? Abraham followed without question. Could we?
Now, the chances are we will never be asked to sacrifice our firstborn, but we are asked to step out and walk with the Lord in our every day lives, and sometimes that’s hard to do. I was thinking about Chambers’ statement, trying to understand it, but another thought stuck its sharp elbows into the discussion – My will. How often do we resolve to follow our Lord without question, only to be side-tracked by our own desires, wishes and plans?
How willing are we to take the idol that we worship (our comfort, our wealth, our children, our status) to the mountain and sacrifice it, send it up in smoke? Maybe it means seriously reordering priorities; prayerfully considering where the Lord is leading you, and letting Him determine what is important.
If, like Abraham, you “Believe God”, and where He is leading you, then it does mean loving and knowing the One who is leading. Here is the hardest part – as you live your life of faith, you are turning your back on the basics of life as a human, and trusting without understanding, relying on Him without reason, and simply going where he leads. Chambers tells us that “Faith is rooted in the knowledge of a Person, and one of the biggest traps we fall into is the belief that if we have faith, God will surely lead us to success in the world.”
Let’s check that. In every life journey that leads to faith, also leads to a change in our character, our priorities, our style of living in the world. Our commitment to the Lord opens us to eyes that see what He wants us to see, ears that hear what He would have us hear, and a willingness to act according to His will. The question we must ask ourselves is this: Is the change in our faith and commitment to God momentary and situational or does it persist in all areas? Do we back-slide into our old ways, looking lovingly at the old idols, and wondering…?
The self-examination of a Christian is hard and revealing work. However, if you believe, like Abraham, and trust God without question, our faith becomes tested and true, built on all that God provides. Amen.
Bulletin Board:
Season of Lent is upon us upon us. This coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the solemn season of the liturgical year, which ends with Holy Thursday at sundown. If you are looking for a good read for Lent, may I suggest A Life for Barabbas. Barabbas is referenced in eleven Bible verses in the New Testament, then he simply disappears. He is convicted and sentenced to death by crucifixion, is suddenly pardoned and released from prison. Barabbas is stunned and confused by this turn of events, and he finds himself on Calvary to see this man ‘who took my place on that cross’, and there encounters Jesus. That is the beginning of Barabbas’ transformation from rebel to redeemed. A Lenten story of redemption.
Bits and Pieces of Faith:
Helen Keller – Life is either a daring adventure or its nothing.
And God said to Moses, “Take these two tablets and call me in the morning.”
Folks sadly often put God in a box… when in reality… nothing could be further from the truth. He created it all… the sunrises… the sunsets… the things you were least expecting… at the times… you least expected them. He put the HA HA in humor and the meaning in jokes. He is the coolest… most out there thought… that you could possibly think! He created it all!
Closing Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, Your ways are higher than my ways. I pray for power and strength to surrender my way and follow your best way. I trust You Lord. In the Name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
