Genesis 12:1-4 (NIV) The Call of Abram
12 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “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. 3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” 4 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.
There is a movie called Road Trip in which four friends embark on a road trip to retrieve an tape mistakenly mailed to a female friend and all the adventure that goes along with the journey. Also, men are noted for not asking directions. Wouldn’t you even want to know the destination?
Our father in the faith, Abraham, just went. He knew neither the reason, direction nor destination. In fact, there is no indication that he knew much about the God who spoke to him. Nothing in the Bible tells us of a relationship or knowledge of God or even how God contacted Abram. That’s what he was called in those days, Arbam. A man of seventy-five packs his stuff, grabs his family and sets off into the sunset on the request of whom? How did he know it was God? In fact, at that time, there were many gods. Why listen to this one? Who does that? Would you go? I would be afraid. Firstly, Abram is hearing voices. Yet it clearly says “4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot[his nephew] went with him.”
I went by myself to Indiana last April for a friend’s wedding. I had never been there before and I was going for three days. I serviced the car, looked up the directions, packed my things and set out. I knew where I was going. I knew who I would see when I arrived. Thanks to Google Maps, I knew the way. I have traveled before so I am used to driving. I did not pack all my possessions and family for a relocation. I knew I would be there for several days and return home! There was very little faith involved. Can you imagine the faith of Abraham? Hebrews 11:8 (NIV) says 8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. This was credited to him as righteousness! Oh that I could have that level of faith.
I am learning to trust the Lord more and more. How do I know it is Him speaking to me? I have only heard His voice once when I was in Honduras but you just know. When you find yourself having knowledge of something so far beyond your understanding, it is from the Lord. Another way is when it just won’t go away. I try to ignore some of the callings I get. I pretend I didn’t hear it and it just gets louder. There is a nagging sense on the inside that you cannot get past. He is calling. Where is He calling you to go? What does He want you to do? It will become clear. I find that God brings people to my mind at unusual times. When someone comes to mind out of the blue, I have learned to call them. It may be for my benefit but it may be for theirs! Listen for the still small Voice! Let Him lead. You will like the journey.
Lord, thank You for Your call. At the time, it may not seem good to us in our many plans. Show us Your plans instead. Help us to walk in Your ways in faith. We know You are working all things for our good. Let us not resist and just enjoy the journey in Your presence. And may we be blessed by the journey. In Jesus name we pray!