January 4
Genesis 11:1-26; 1 Chronicles 1:5-7; Genesis 11:27-11:31; 12:1-14:24
Corrie Ten Boom said, "Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open." Very wise words from a Christian woman who knew first hand what it was like to lose everything on this earth that was near and dear to her, in the years that she spent in the Ravensbruck Concentration Camp. We should all pause for a moment and reflect on that time when we came to faith in Jesus Christ. For many, those early years were simple as you walked through the Scriptures, took in the words from pastors, grew in fellowship with other Christians, etc. But then life happens. Things of the world grow in prominence as the things of God get pushed out of the way. It's not that some of these things are not good things, for they can be things like spouses, children, jobs, etc. Though, if our minds are set on God, these items should enhance our walk, often they move our walk in the opposite direction. No longer is church a priority, because it conflicts with your children's activities. A couple of years ago, we all lost a lot due to Covid. The response to this disease has literally taken away so much of what we were used to. Going out with your family, vacations, activities, going to school, working with others, gathering with family for holidays, etc. Perhaps, we need to learn the same lesson that Corrie Ten Boom learned. We are so fearful to lose all those comforts of our old life, for we feel safe and secure with them. But, maybe without so many things vying for our attention and clouding our thoughts, we can return to that simple relationship with God which is really the only true safe place to be.
Read God's words to Abram in Genesis 12:1-3, "The Lord 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." It was an extreme act of faith on Abram's part as he embarked on the long journey to Canaan. But he was partially obedient. Though he was told to leave his family, he took Lot, his nephew with him. He built altars to the Lord in 12:7-8. Then due to a famine, he left the land that he was being given and went to Egypt. There Abram lied about his wife, allowing her to be taken into the harem of Pharaoh, to protect his own life. Leaving Egypt on his way back, he had acquired much wealth. Abram, like many of us started out simply, but allowed things to cloud his simple walk of faith. We read in 13:3-4, "From the Negev, they continued traveling by stages toward Bethel, and they pitched their tents between Bethel and Ai, where they had camped before. This was the same place where Abram had built the altar, and there he worshiped the Lord again." Abram returned to the place when he was clearly worshiping God. Then we see that he and his nephew parted ways, which is when he finally obeyed God's initial instructions to him. Abram probably mourned the loss of his nephew, Lot, but that was when the Lord spoke to him again in 13:14-17, and revealed the land that was to be given to him.
We can learn some important lessons from these early years of Abram. If our life seems complicated, and our ability to follow God in simple faith seems difficult, what have we allowed to fill our life which has rendered this so hard. Perhaps it's time to pray to God to give us clarity how to return to that simple faith. Also, though Abraham is highly regarded by Christians, Jews, and Muslims, he was far from a perfect man. We often, mistakenly, believe that God will only bless us when we are perfect enough to earn His blessings. Paul clarified this for us in Romans 3:10-12, "...No one is righteous-not even one...No one does good, not a single one." God knows that we are not good, but loves us anyway. God does not seek the who's who of the world, but we read in 1 Corinthians 1:27, "Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful." Jesus chose regular, imperfect people as His apostles. If we want to experience that close relationship with God and experience that Spirit filled life, we need to clarify our walk with Him, and allow Him to lead us in this life of faith.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: