Most people spend their lives looking for direction and the world thinks it can be obtained in a number of ways. There are self help motivational videos and courses aimed at making people the 'best' version of themselves. Also, countless books have been written on how to 'have it all', make the most of our lives, take hold of our future or even see into our future! These come from so called experts but the majority leave out the One who is the most qualified as an expert when it comes to life direction—God!
You might be thinking, well that's not me —'I read the Bible every day and go to church. I'm heading in the right direction!' That's really great but how often do we approach our time with God with an attitude of expectation, knowing that what He may impart to us, could take us out of our comfort zone?
Today we see Abram being given direction from God, direction that would take him away from his home and family to a land unknown to him. Imagine how daunting it would have been! He couldn't look up the proposed new location on Google Earth and see what it looked like or how far away it was. All Abram knew was that God would show him the place. This journey would take a step of faith!
God then proceeded to make some very special promises to Abram. It must have been hard to take it all in! Can you imagine how he was feeling as he heard the details of how God was going to bless him?
"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; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there. Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him. From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev."
Genesis 12:1-9 NIV
Abram obediently left his own country, Harran and household, taking his wife Sarai and nephew Lot with all of their possessions, bound for Canaan. (It's interesting that he didn't strictly follow instructions to leaving all of his family. Would taking Lot be a problem in the future?) Even though the Canaanites still occupied the land, God led Abram in and told him that he would give the land to his offspring. The Lord even appeared to him on this occasion reminding him of the promise He had made, so in thanksgiving, Abram built an altar in His honour. The altar was important to Abram as it was a place to meet with God, offer sacrifices for sins, worship Him and submit to His authority as he waited for future directions.
Again when Abram finally set up camp near Bethel and Ai, he built another altar. Why did he do this? It was necessary to keep on meeting with God, perhaps remembering the wonderful blessings God had promised. Once was not enough! We need to remember this as we head out into our day, that spending time in the morning doesn't mean we are done with our time with God. As He takes us through the day, make time to stop and thank Him!
"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name." Hebrews 13:15 NIV
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the way I can look to You for guidance in my life. Whether it is a big decision like future career, future partner or smaller issues if everyday life, You lead and guide me as I daily trust You with my life. Lord help me to listen and look to Your Word daily so You can guide me in all my ways. Help me not to slip into believing the world's view of making the most of my life but to boldly step out in faith, knowing that You love me, want what is best for me and will be with me throughout my life's journey.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Help me Lord to stop often to thank and worship You throughout my day as You bless me. You are so good to me! Thank You that I don't need to offer sacrifices for my sins as Abram did because Jesus, You were the perfect, final sacrifice which covered all my sin! Thank You that I am a recipient of the blessing You pronounced over Abram! May I take Your truths and promises as I serve You today.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
"For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see."
Psalms 36:9 NLT
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Light and Life for Today
روحانياتA daily devotional for your time alone with God. In an increasingly dark world, more than ever, we need to look beyond what we can see, past our present circumstances. In order to see the light and experience life as our Heavenly Father intended, I...
