Obedience leads to good things

While this lesson is kind of about change, I think it is more importantly about our view of God. Abram, or Abraham as he will later be called, was an ordinary man. Up until this point we know very little about him. Having access to Scripture and knowing the majority of the story, we know what Abraham will become. We have the New Testament, which looks back at Abraham as a great man of faith, and we know that God chose to make a huge covenant with him and bless him greatly. We know of his miraculous ability to have children at the age of 99 with Sarah. We even know of his mistakes, one being his attempt to get things done on his own by having a child with Hagar. But the funny thing is, we forget that all this took place after he was 75 years old. What did he do in those previous 75 years? Why did God wait so long?

It seems that the purpose God had for Abraham was not to be fulfilled or even attempted until he was 75. Was he a slow learner so it took 75 years to get where God needed him to be? No, God’s plan was just a bit different than one we would have designed. What did Abraham do that was so extraordinary? The answer is much more simple than I would like it to be—he simply obeyed. I wish it was bigger than that, but that is not how God works, because God wanted the story to be about Himself, not about Abraham. As I read back over this story, I found myself looking past Abraham to see the rest of the story. The rest of the story is about a God that knows us, loves us and has a plan for us. I am at a point in my life where I want to see the bigness of God. I want to know that God can and will do what He says He will do. I want to serve a God that has a plan and allows me to be a part of it not because I am good enough but because He is my Father.

The beauty of this story is that we find ourselves at the same point Abraham did when he was standing at the feet of God wondering where in the world He was sending him. Not sure of the future. Tired as he thought about the trip ahead. Trying to explain to his wife they were leaving and going somewhere, he just didn’t know where yet. Try that one sometime—I am sure Sarah thought he was losing it! And then after knowing God’s promise was for him to have child, he waited for 25 years to have the child God promised him. Abraham accepted change and simply followed where God was leading. Certainly this lesson will help us handle change, but I think we also need to look at the bigger picture, and that is obedience to a really big God.

No matter where you find yourself right now: finding out God is calling you to something new, tired from the journey, or waiting for God to act, rest in the fact that He is God. Take the next step He gives you and see what happens. That is where I find myself this week—tired from the journey. Life is tough. Life is tiring. Having a two year old is tough and tiring! Being a husband is no easy task either. Feel free to join in at any point here. Having ____________ is tough, being ______________ is wearing me out. What is it for you? Take some time this week to quietly bow before a Holy God knowing He provides the strength, the direction and the courage. Just like Abraham, all we need to do is follow.