Genesis 12 - God's Calling

The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you." Gen 12:1

Statistics demonstrate that a college education is the ticket to success and happiness. All you need to do is find a major that lends itself to marketability and press forward with all your might. Since education is available to virtually anyone who desires you would think that we would be the most satisfied people. In fact based on domestic violence numbers, alcoholism, numbers of people being treated for depression we know that education and affluence don't equate with joy and satisfaction.

Our satisfaction comes in being in tune with God's calling in our lives. We know that we have a calling to follow the Lord wherever He leads us. Consider the example Abraham gives us in chapter 12 of Genesis. God speaks directly to him. We don't hear an audible voice (at least I never have) but if you are a Christian you have the Spirit of God living in you and guiding and directing you.

God's call is a scary one. Basically God says, "Abram, drop everything and leave where you are and don't look back. Trust me and I will show you your new place." Abram had I act before knowing the end of the plan. God doesn't always lay out all the details for us but He does require our availability and our obedience.

God assures Him faithfulness will be worth his while as we have several promises given:

1. You will be a great nation
2. I will bless you
3. I will make your name great
4. You will be a blessing
5. I will bless your friends and curse your enemies
6. All nations on the earth will be blessed through you.
7. To your offspring I will give this land

Would that be enough for you to leave relationships and security behind? I don't think Abram needed all those promises. I believe he would have obeyed just because God commanded, but I do think He looked to God to honor those promises later.

Abram leaves and all seems to go well until he arrives at Egypt. He seriously falls off the trust wagon and hands his wife over to Pharaoh to be in his harem. But even in his failure God intervened to protect Sarah his wife and inflicted disease in Pharaoh's house. When Abram was implicated for the deception he was asked to leave with all the wealth he accumulated there.

The point is not that faithlessness is rewarded but that God knows our frailties and will intervene on behalf of his children to sustain them if they will commit their way to The Lord.

What is God's calling in your life? Will you follow Him even if it means abandoning your security and even relationships that are dear to you? He may not ask such of you, but listen to his Spirit. How can you be faithful to Him today. Leave tomorrow to The Lord and be available and obedient to his leading today.

Dear Heavenly Father, we confess it is scary to consider the possibilities of service you might require, but we have been given a great name (yours) and we know you have redeemed us, you have a plan for us and you will not let go of your people for all eternity. Help us to increase our faith in you as you direct us and help us to clear away anything that hinders our availability and obedience to you. In Jesus's name we pray. Amen.