Born in the land of Ur, Abraham(called Abram at that time)
lived in what is called..
modern day Iraq. All the people around worshiped idols. Though he was probably taught about the God of Noah, Abraham most likely knew little about Him. But one special day this 'unknown' God called him and told him to leave his country, his kin people, and his father's house. (Genesis 12) He also told Abraham of blessings and promises he would receive. Many descendants and much land as an inheritance. God appeared to him in the land of Canaan and Abraham made his first altar to the living God.
In God's appointed time He calls each one of us to come and follow Him. Despite our lack of experience or understanding of who He is, Jesus says, 'Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest..'(Matthew 11:28). He tells us to learn of him and we'll find rest for our souls. So we take that first great step of faith by following the loving voice of our Savior when he tells us to lay all our sins at the foot of his cross. Like Abraham, we didn't know where we were going but we trusted in the voice we heard.
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Hebrews 11:8
What had made Abraham willing to leave behind all that he had ever known in life-country and family? Perhaps he felt the emptiness and hopelessness of the idol worship in the heathen nation. And he knew enough to realize there was something more. When he heard God speak, then Abraham's heart was awakened by the love and truth God's words gave to him. He had a deep hunger to know the living, true God. And so he followed his voice by faith.
God has called us out of this world of idol worship- which is motivated by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. If these are the things we are consumed by then God's love does not live within our hearts. Yes, we will be tempted by the enemy of our souls. But God's grace is enough to keep us if we turn to Him with all our hearts. Will we sometimes fail to trust Him? Truthfully everyone will-just as Abraham didn't fully trust God all the time.
After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Genesis 15:1
He walked moment by moment, day by day, year by year..learning more and more about the Creator of Heaven and Earth. About his Heavenly Father. Through various trials God protected him and his family. Plus, Abraham received many answers to prayer. Often his prayers would be concerning the promised son that was to be born to him and Sarah. Did he or his wife have any fears that hindered their belief in God's covenant promises? Yes, both of them did.
Abraham's conversations(prayers) with God revealed doubt because of the couple's old age. He was 75 and Sarah was 65. In the natural sense it seemed impossible for them to finally become parents. And Sarah laughed in her tent after she heard what God had told her husband. Yes, their faith in God was greatly tested. And they made a grievous mistake when Sarah convinced Abraham to make Hagar- her maid-Abraham's wife. The purpose of this action was for Hagar to conceive and bear a child for them. They were trying to fulfill their miracle promise without trusting God's plan and timing.
Hagar and Abraham's child, Ishmael was not the promised son. The time between when the promise was given and when the fulfillment happened was 25 years. Abraham was 100 when Sarah, who was 90, gave birth to Isaac. Can you imagine the confusion, doubt and fear that they had to fight and overcome before they received their covenant promise? I believe you
can if you're a real child of God. One who walks by faith and not by sight. And the Word teaches us that our faith will be tested or tried..to reveal who or what we are really trusting in.
True Faith Will Be Tested
17(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Romans 4
Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Hebrews 11:11
Abraham and Sarah discovered God to be faithful to His promise. What's more, they also learned that God himself was their greatest reward. As Creator, Father, Deliverer and more. A child of God does not depend on a blind faith but a real faith that sets its spiritual eyes not on deaf and dumb idols of this fallen world- but on a living God who was manifest in the flesh.- (I Timothy 3:16) gave us power to become His sons(John 1:12) is full of grace and truth (John 1:14) gave the knowledge of Him in the face of Jesus Christ
(II Corinthians 4:6)
Let's Hope In God Only
This I recall to my mind,
therefore have I hope.
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed,
because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning:
great is thy faithfulness.
The Lord is my portion, saith my soul;
therefore will I hope in him.
The Lord is good unto them that wait for him,
to the soul that seeks him.
It is good that a man should both hope
and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:21-26
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