He didn’t want him to stay in the company he was in. He was not going to make a people with him in the middle of that mess. No. That just wouldn’t fit His plan at all.
According to the account given by Stephen later on, this guy got the message waited until his Dad died and then took the hint again and followed the instruction. Followed the instruction to leave all of that behind him and go to the place where God was leading him.
What God was going to do in him and through him, required him to leave. Leave that family and that way of life behind him. Leave the familiar behind him to walk into and cultivate something new that God was going to do in him and through him.
Although he did not live long enough to experience the realisation of what was promised, he did live long enough to know that the promise was real. That the truth would continue long after him. He did not die hopeless.
All that, however, was based on the obedience to leave. He took something of the familiar with him in his nephew coming with him. Time even reached the stage where he was to realise that the call wasn’t for him and him Lot, it was just about him. The promise was about the faithful obedience he would show to hang onto the promise that God will keep His word.
The flaws of Abram would have just a critical impact for generations to come. The lying, that taking matters into his own hand and listening to his wife. Yet his obedience would have a far greater impact on the household of faith that – as was promised – would count in people from all around the world.
His obedience to leave even now influences people to recognise a call to something greater will require them to leave what they’ve believed to be familiar. His obedience informs men and women of faith to recognise that what God looks for is something that won’t be found in the cosy familiar world of our making, but requires a walk of faith to where God wants us to see what He has in store for those who love Him and live according to his purpose.
Abram had no idea what awaited him when he took the walk by faith. He still went on it and though his walk wasn’t flawless, it was still counted as faithful. Perhaps that can be a word of hope for those today who want to stay in the familiar but there’s a call from the Holy One that still says,
“It’s about time you left and follow me to a place …”
(Photo by Arto Marttinen on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 