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The Bible first introduces
the famous patriarch Abraham to us when he is
seventy-five years old. His name at this time is not
Abraham but rather Abram. When Abram was ninety-nine
years old God changed his name to Abraham, which means
Father of a multitude. This new name reflected that God
was going to begin building a nation through Abraham.
Abraham bears another important distinction in
scripture; he is twice referenced as the friend of God
(see II Chronicles 20:7, James 2:23).
What brought Abraham into such a close relationship with
God? Abraham believed God. Abraham’s belief was coupled
with action. God’s words imposed changes upon Abraham’s
life, and Abraham made the changes that were required.
Abraham conformed his life to the words of God. He
didn’t attempt to conform the words of God to his life.
Let’s pick the story up in Genesis 12: 1, 4:
Gen.12- vs. 1: Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out
of your country, from your kindred and from your
father’s house, to a land that I will show you. vs. 4 So
Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot
went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when
he departed from Haran.
Abram was seventy-five years old, a man of some
prominence and wealth, and one, no doubt, well-settled
into his surroundings. However, God had a plan for
Abram’s life and for all of mankind. Step one of that
plan involved Abram’s leaving the land of Haran where he
was settled, and journeying to a land that God would
show him. It is important to remember that at the time
of his departure from Haran, Abram did not know where he
was going:
Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called
to go out to the place which he would afterward receive
as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he
was going.
It is not always given to man to know the end of things
from the beginning. Often God shows us sufficient light
to see where we shouldn’t be; but not enough light to
see where that journey will end. As a person steps out
into the discernable light, God grants still more light
so that we can take yet another step. Abram trusted God;
he didn’t allow fear of taking the first step to keep
him in Haran.
Abram was beginning to build a friendship with God; or
more correctly stated, God was beginning to build a
friendship with Abram. Abram was in the process of
learning that God is completely trustworthy. By
experience, God was building confidence into Abram:
confidence not in himself, but rather, confidence in God
and His word.
Some twenty-five years later, God blessed Abraham with a
son who was born of his wife Sarah. His son was named
Isaac. God had told Abraham that Isaac was the son of
promise, and that the descendants of Isaac would receive
the promises spoken to Abraham.
Genesis 15:2-6 But Abram said, “LORD GOD” what will You
give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house
is Eliezer of Damascus?” Vs 3 Then Abram said, “Look,
You have given me no offspring; indeed “one born in my
house is my heir!” Vs 4 And behold, the word of the LORD
came to him saying, “This one shall not be your heir,
but one who will come from your own body shall be your
heir.” Vs 5 Then He brought him outside and said, “Look
now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able
to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your
descendants be.” Vs 6 And he believed in the LORD, and
He accounted it to him for righteousness.
Pay close attention to verse six where it states that,
“(Abraham) believed in the LORD…” The word that is
translated “believed” is an important word in the life
of Abraham. It means to stand firm, to trust. Abraham
stood firm in what God spoke. In other words, Abraham
had found God to be absolutely reliable. And because
Abraham knew God to be reliable, he was always prepared
to take the next step. Abraham obeyed God.
God’s faithfulness to His word is perhaps the most
important lesson that any of us must learn. The first
step in learning and understanding that lesson is to
become familiar with God’s word. You will not become
familiar with God’s word by others telling you about it.
You will become familiar with God’s word by spending
time studying it. Each of us must set aside
uninterrupted quiet time to read and consider God’s word
and the changes that it imposes upon our lives.
If you determine to become knowledgeable regarding God’s
word, at least two things are certain to happen: First,
God’s word will be a lamp to your feet. It will bring to
your attention certain beliefs and assumptions you hold
that are contrary to the clear teaching of scripture. It
will reveal the path you need to travel on through life.
That path will not be the widely accepted pathway that
most people travel. The path that scripture reveals will
prove to be surprisingly different from what many
religions teach, and one that some “Christian” groups
even oppose.
Next, you will discover that as the word of God imposed
changes upon Abraham’s life, so it will impose changes
upon your life. Those changes will be significant. Rest
assured, if you begin to get serious with the word of
God, the word of God will get serious with you. God’s
word will require changes in your life.
By taking one step, then another, you will proceed in
developing your relationship with God. Abraham took the
first step: he trusted God, departed from Haran, and
became God’s friend.
Have you taken that first step? Will you allow God’s
word to impose His way upon your life? In the words of
Jesus Christ----“You are My friends if you do whatever I
command you” (John 15:14). Only by studying God’s word
will you learn what He commands of you.
We invite you to download the Booklets and Bible Studies
offered on the Wonderfulworldtomorrow.org. They will
help you in your efforts to learn more from God’s word.
If you can’t download the literature, you can request a
free hard copy by filling out our literature request
form. Get started now if you haven’t already. Perhaps
one day you too will be called a friend of God. |