Devotion: Abram

Genesis 12:1-4a

“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,  and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth  will be blessed through you.’

 

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him.”

God said “Go” and Abram went.

That’s the short version of this Bible passage that is often cited as “The Call of Abraham,” using the name God later gave to the father of Israel. I am always struck by Abram’s ability to obey. God says, essentially, “I want you and your household to walk from Ur to Canaan, 400-plus miles as the crow flies, but many more on foot, to a land that I’m giving you but which is occupied by people you will have to fight so the land can be yours.”

As far as we know, this is Abram’s first direct communication from God – before this portion of Genesis, the Bible only tells us that he is a son of Terah. And Terah, the Book of Joshua tell us, worshiped idols. So his father was not a role model for obedience to God.

Ur at that time was a thriving metropolis, in a highly developed civilization. Abram likely knew little about Canaan because of its distance and lack of reputation, and could easily conclude that life there would be more primitive and less comfortable. Still, he went.

He went because he was able to trust God’s promises. “I will show you this land – I’ll be there with you.” “I will make you a great nation and I will bless you.” “You will be a blessing.” Abram believed God would be with him in this new adventure.

At the same time, Abram must have had doubts, both before he started his journey and during it. He would have needed to pray both for the ability to do what God wanted and the ability to trust God day to day. Those same prayers serve you and me also when God calls us to new things.

Oh, God, when you call me to trust, to move boldly into my future, give me whatever I need to do as you command. Amen

Written by Cheryl Stubbendieck