DAILY READING : GENESIS 10-12

 

TEXT : Gen 12:1  Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: Gen 12:2  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: Gen 12:3  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Gen 12:4  So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

 

THEME : THE LIFE OF FAITH 

 

In Genesis chapter 10, we read of the repopulation of the earth through Noah's sons. If one takes the time to read about the various nations that came from these three men, you find some interesting facts about the nations that are on the planet today. It is also noteworthy to remember that once God destroyed the Old World [that is Adam's descendants] all the people who live on the earth today are of "one blood," as we read in the Book of Acts. In chapter 11, we see an important principle about unity in God's destruction of the tower of Babel. What I mean is when people come together and are in one accord and one mind [as we also see in the Book of Acts], "nothing" [a relative and not an absolute term] can be withheld from them. To put it another way, where there is unity, there is power to achieve, whether for good or evil. How critical then, in the days in which we live, that Christians strive for the "unity of the faith in the bond of peace." With the coming of Christ so near, every true believer should be of one mind and in one accord, to affect the Kingdom of God for good, as we will give an account to Christ for every action and deed.

 

In chapter 12, we meet for the first time the great patriarch, and the "father of faith" – Abraham. Abraham or Abram - his first name before God changes it - is asked by God to leave his family and country, to journey into a land that he has never dwelt in before. Further, he is given nothing more than a promise from God. He sees nothing. He has no guarantees except this one – God is speaking. One would think that if God is speaking, everything from that point on is "easy." That is what many of the false teachers who circulate among the Christian Church today teach people. However, as we will read further, the life of faith Abraham will live out is not easy. He faces many hardships and trials as God Himself tests him! Even so, Abraham remains faithful, and never "staggers at the promise of God," but remains true. Still, he remains human, falling short at times of God's Glory, as we read here when he lies about Sarah [not] being his wife. Like you and me, Abraham was a man with weaknesses. 

 

TRUTH FOR TODAY : "OUR LIVES AS CHRISTIANS IS ONE OF CONTINUAL FAITH"

 

In the New Testament, Christ calls us to live a life of faith like Abraham. As I mentioned, many false teachers today mislead and deceive people into thinking the life of faith in God is one of "moonlight and roses." Surely, if you have had any experience with God, you know by practice rather than [false] precept that faith in God can test you right to your limits. What true Christian at some time or another has not felt like giving up, quitting, or wishing they could die? As we read the Bible this year, we will learn of the great patriarchs in the Bible who became depressed, anxious, suicidal, isolated, persecuted, lonely, and disillusioned. That is without mentioning the obvious - so many of them were put in prison or killed because they had faith - not because they lacked it.

 

Abraham lived his entire life in faith, not seeing, but believing God. Through his faith, God counted him righteous as we read in Romans – "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." [Rom. 4:3] We too are counted righteous by believing in Jesus Christ – "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." [Rom. 4:5] However, let us remember the life of faith has many tests and trials. Let us, like Abraham, believe to the end, and receive a full reward for our faith. Even when we are weary and feel like giving up, we must remain faithful and believe. God's method is to test His people to see if they love Him. This is a test – a lifelong test – that we cannot fail. Too much depends on it, in this world and the next.