December 02, 2009
Acts 7:2–4 - God told Abram to leave his country, but his father Terah was still alive. Abram delayed his obedience and they stayed in Haran until his father died.
Delayed obedience, or only partial obedience, is disobedience.
Genesis 12:4 - God tells Abram to leave Haran. He obeys with only God's promise as his guide. Abram had no tangible reason to know what God said would be the truth; he just had to believe. Abram had periods of doubt. When the famines came Abram chose to be in control himself and went to Egypt. Step #1 away from God—which led to fear, which led to lying. God stepped in and did not allow the lie to continue by bringing trouble to the king and the king making them leave. (Verses 17–20)
Genesis 20:2–5 - Abraham tries to lie again. This time God intervened and took over the situation and again did not allow it.
The struggles we go through are really opportunities. (James 1:2–6; Genesis 12:12) It is the opportunity to change and grow, to become who God wants us to be. We can learn that in no other way! If we try to circumvent those struggles, if we try to strategize our way out, then we are opening ourselves up to be disciplined by God and we are only delaying the learning and growth process. Or worst of all, we may never learn and become the person God desired us to be. Think about the ramifications that brings. Lost blessings—now and for future generations. Lost souls—for eternity.
I Samuel 15:22 - He wants our obedience, not our sacrifices.
Just as a butterfly or moth has to struggle to free themselves from their cocoon in order to become strong and thrive, so it is with us. It is the struggles we face in life that allows us to become who and what we were meant to be. We should embrace the work God wants to do in our lives. We can miss out on God's best if we try to avoid or circumvent the struggles which bring about His will.
Next Entry: Genesis 13:1 – 14:24
Acts 7:2–4 - God told Abram to leave his country, but his father Terah was still alive. Abram delayed his obedience and they stayed in Haran until his father died.
Delayed obedience, or only partial obedience, is disobedience.
Genesis 12:4 - God tells Abram to leave Haran. He obeys with only God's promise as his guide. Abram had no tangible reason to know what God said would be the truth; he just had to believe. Abram had periods of doubt. When the famines came Abram chose to be in control himself and went to Egypt. Step #1 away from God—which led to fear, which led to lying. God stepped in and did not allow the lie to continue by bringing trouble to the king and the king making them leave. (Verses 17–20)
Genesis 20:2–5 - Abraham tries to lie again. This time God intervened and took over the situation and again did not allow it.
The struggles we go through are really opportunities. (James 1:2–6; Genesis 12:12) It is the opportunity to change and grow, to become who God wants us to be. We can learn that in no other way! If we try to circumvent those struggles, if we try to strategize our way out, then we are opening ourselves up to be disciplined by God and we are only delaying the learning and growth process. Or worst of all, we may never learn and become the person God desired us to be. Think about the ramifications that brings. Lost blessings—now and for future generations. Lost souls—for eternity.
I Samuel 15:22 - He wants our obedience, not our sacrifices.
Just as a butterfly or moth has to struggle to free themselves from their cocoon in order to become strong and thrive, so it is with us. It is the struggles we face in life that allows us to become who and what we were meant to be. We should embrace the work God wants to do in our lives. We can miss out on God's best if we try to avoid or circumvent the struggles which bring about His will.
"The ripple of today's lie is tomorrow's wave and next year's flood." From Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado.
Next Entry: Genesis 13:1 – 14:24
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