Wednesday, December 5

ABRAHAM

Genesis 12: 1-5

Now the Lord had said to Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee.

Here we are in the closing days of the year 2001. These past few months have been full of fear and anxiety for this nation as a whole. We are surrounded on every side by many different voices. Suggestions and commands of what to do and where to go come ringing down from the high state of government officials, from the news media, the church and even from our own family members and friends. In this time of great confusion, the Lord of Glory is calling His people to GET THEE OUT! A command from a Holy, Righteous God. His Voice cuts through the confusion and fear.

Right after the life of Noah, Genesis 11 tells us about the building of the tower of Babel. The people wanted to build a tower to reach to the heavens. They had their own idea of worship. It was not God's way, and God caused a great confusion among the people. In a time of rebellion and sin, God's judgment and mercy were evident. It's always there. Then and now. The Lord saw Abram, a man of humility, who desired more! He calls Abram to GET out of his native country and come into a heavenly land that is led every step by God Almighty. What is our native country? It's our own ideas, understandings, loves, and wants. It's an idolatrous country we want to hold on to because it's familiar. God's call to Abram is also our call. PRAISE GOD! To leave sin and sinful company. Call out to Him, He will define sin: an offense against God. Hmmm. That's more than robbing banks and murder. An offense against God—pride in your own ability, thinking you have everything figured out. The Lord calls us to be set apart for Him. Separate from all that we hold dear. Willing to leave all, abandoning our own plans and order. Being enthralled with HIS love. Captured, held prisoner by our Lord and Savior, the Heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus Christ!

The beauty of Abram is that he obeyed the voice of the Lord. And he took his whole family with him. In his obedience and walk with his Lord, Abram's family and all the souls(vs 5)went with him. This doesn't make sense. God says leave family, country, kindred and yet, they go with him. It's leaving your hold on them, grabbing hold of God—not letting go of the giver of Eternal Life! (vs 1)-get out:walking, (vs 4)-departed:walking. Alleluia! An ongoing relationship, ongoing fellowship with the Lord of Glory, and everything else falls into the perfect place of order! Abram's whole heart was transfixed on the Lord. His family was blessed by his love and obedience. His wife gave birth to the promised child, Isaac. And from this one act of an ordinary man, who loved God and humbled himself to belong totally to Him, came our beautiful Lord of Christmas, Jesus Christ! Alleluia! Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power unto the Lord our God!

With Love, Because He Lives, ~Judy Hollobaugh