Abram’s Walk with God! – Part IV
Walking …… Read. Gen. 17:18-27
On that very day – Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him… v.26
An imperfect faith – A faith that suffers – at times from sheer disbelief – Faith that stumbles and crumbles – Faith that is overwhelmed by fear and is burdened from weak knees, one day and an anxious spirit, the next. Yes, our faith is imperfect! – not unlike the faith of Abraham - who at times – doubted in his faith, too - - - but – - – when the Father commanded something – he did not procrastinate! He did it! And inspite of the imperfection of his faith – and possibly, even – partly due to his awareness of such imperfect faith – I suppose, in the end, it might be said that – obedience – was the key – to Abraham’s Faith?
Note: Be careful – before you agree with that – as a lesson to take away from this day in Abraham’s walk. …… The long pause within me – as I approach – writing these next few lines – tells me that – I may be “biting off more than I want to chew”.
Never-the-less – unhesitating, in his obedience - Abraham – “on that very day” – seems to have “acted – himself” – into a more mature faith. Faith without works/obedience – is dead? I suppose – the question of our faith walk – becomes – What commands - from our Father - do we put off – until tomorrow – or even dismiss – as less – than a necessary part – of our faith walk???? :( – might I suggest sitting still with that question for a bit? ……..
Father – I know – that you know – that sometimes – I tend to – “wait - “cautiously”? – until I see how things are going to turn out”? - before I commit myself – “unconditionally.” Perhaps – that is why – in the waiting part of my walking – with you - - I sometimes grow impatient and attempt to seize some control over your plan – in my life – maybe Father, I act this way to avoid - - doing what You have said for me to do – and instead – I justify my selfish actions - (which too often turn out to be wrong) - in order to avoid being OBEDIENT – to You? I am such a – stubborn and often rebellious child of faith. Forgive me – Father. Father – help me to – commit myself – “unconditionally” - with unhesitating obedience – so that you may use me to be a part of the way – You would have things turn out. Amen
Walking …… Read. Gen. 18:1-8
Oak of Mamre. estimated age: 5000 years old. hmmmmm……?!?
He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them – he ran from the tent entrance to meet them – and bowed down to the ground. v.2
I suppose – these “strangers” – traveling through the hot country side – in open-toe sandals – in the hot part of the day – saw the oak trees of Mamre – where Abraham was living – as an oasis of shade from the hot sun and refreshment for their labored bodies – a place to rest. Whew! We made it! I can imagine how they might have felt - when – for instance - when I have been making my way down from a hike in the Chisos Mountains – my water bottle long empty – the heat of the Texas sun, in the afternoon – bearing down – and the anxious arrival ‘neath the shade of the basin shelter. Seemingly – consistent with Abraham’s ordinary – everyday character - he offers his visitors a ”heavenly mental image” of pure and unconditional hospitality – by fetching first – water to wash their tired and dirty feet – and then offering rest in the shade of the oaks – and preparing a meal for them. In those ancient days – it was generally expected – that as a traveler – those you came across along your journey – were obliged to provide refreshment, as needed. Abraham - at first – does not understand, that - “the Lord” – is arriving at his home – for a visit –
It seems the question for my heart is its condition! Is my ordinary – everyday character – available and “lively” engaged – in a spirit of hospitality? If not – I suppose – God can’t use me for certain aspects of His Will.
Consider Hebrews 13:1-2 “Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why - some have extended hospitality – to angels – without ever knowing it!
Father God - how many are the times – that I have missed – having You – visit me - because I am disrespectful or unconcerned – for those around me – “strangers” perhaps – that I avoid contact with – or because I have grown unforgiving – of interruptions in my “daily routine”? Father – give me the pure and unconditional gift – of hospitality and develop within me - its manners – that I might “paint a heavenly image” – of such a spirit – for others to see – You – in my daily walk. Amen
Walking …… Read. Gen. 18:9-15
So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?” v.12
Abraham and Sarah were old by this time – very old – even by ancient standards. Sarah was long past the age for having babies and her disbelief - explodes into laughter – at the thought of what has - for her – long since become - an “absurd” promise - she gave up on the ability to conceive – long ago. - – - I’m taking a deep breath and with a critical eye on myself – - – I suppose – that “coming to terms” – with an “unfulfilled life” – has been a common experience in the lives of many – down through the ages. I can relate to the “temptation” – to cower in the face of circumstances – that are clearly – “out of my control” – when the promise of a “fulfilled and abundant life” – seem to have illuded me - and the only prospect seems to be to - ”settle” and “come to terms” – with my position. But God’s promises – in the lives of His children – are never abandoned! He does not desire for us to abandon them, either! Instead - our Father – asks us to remain – faithful – as He is faithful. He does not intend to permit us to “come to terms” with or settle for an “unfulfilled life.” It seems – even – that if we can manage to remain faithful – in our daily Walk - - – ultimately – when – in God’s own time - the promises that once seemed “impossible” - are fulfilled – we are shaken - out of the rut – of our unbelief – - – Now that’s something to laugh about! – laughter, not born of disbelief – rather – laughter, born of relief – in the arms of safety - in the fulfilled promises, of our Father. Laughter – born of Praise and Thanksgiving!
I wonder – would I have laughed? Maybe.
Father – help me to distinguish – between Your promises – and “tall-tales”. Your promises are not ”tall-tales” to be laughed at! Help me to see the “impossibility factors” – in your promises not as “jokes” - rather – to see them as trail maps - to steer me along the path – of my daily Walk in faith. Remind me – often – that your promises - can far exceed my perceived inability – to hope and believe. Give me a heart – big enough to absorb the abundance of your blessings and your promises – and give me patience to allow for your timing and persistence, in my daily Walk – to trust you to guide all of my steps. Amen
Walking …… Read. Gen. 18:16-26
Then the Lord said, “How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and how very grave their sin!.” v.18
It is the intimacy of Abraham’s relationship with the Father – that strikes me the most - in that, he and the Lord are – In Relationship – to the degree – that firstly, God shares with Abraham - His personal interest and devoted attention – to the crys of those souls suffering in sin - in Sodom and Gomorrah – such that the crys are deafening to His ears - for their sin is so great - and He, God Himself, is going down there to see for Himself - if what they are doing, is as bad as it sounds. Now, if that doesn’t sound like a conversation of intimate relationship sharing – consider that the story goes that – the men then set out for Sodom – but Abraham, (get this) stood-in-God’s-path, blocking his way – as if to say – (much, as I might – in an emotional conversation – with someone, about a sensitive matter – who has said their piece and turned from our conversation to tackle the inevitable outcome of the conclusions that have been drawn) something like, “Hang on” - ”Are you serious? Are you planning on getting rid of the good people right along with the bad? What if there are fifty decent people left in the city – will you lump the good in with the bad and get rid of the lot?”
I mean – consider that - in the context of a daily Walk of faith – In Relationship with the Father – Abraham here – felt “close enough” in that relationship – to stand, as it were – in the way of God – and express the passion – the sincerity - and the truest nature of his heart – that of Servanthood! Brotherly Love! Concern for the souls of faithful men, women and children. This seems to be a “high point” – in Abraham’s spiritual life – the intimate relationship he has with Father God! and his determined faith – in the goodness and the mercy and the grace, of God.
Father - You know me better than I know myself. You know my weaknesses and my strengths. Teach me Your ways and hear my passionate heart. Forgive my selfish spirit. There are those around me who deserve your mercy and your forgiveness and your grace. Help me to identify them and to be an encouragement in their lives – that through me – You can use me – to bring them closer to you – in relationship. Amen
Walking …… Read. Gen. 18:27-33
Then he said, “Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak just once more. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” v.32
In Relationship with God – in a consistent and determined – daily walk with the Father. In the common and ordinary moments of life – living in the Word – we come before Him – on bended knee – as Abraham did – - aware of our position, as mere mortals - made from a handful of dirt - daring to open our mouths again and again before our Father – as His children – - - ”Father, don’t be irritated with me, but what if only thirty are found?” – “I know that I am trying your patience, Father, but how about for twenty?” – “Father, please don’t be angry with me, this is the last time – What if you only come up with ten?” – - – Prayers – Conversations with our Father – Intercession – standing between the righteous judgement of Good – and evil. Putting ourselves in a position between God’s righteous judgement and our sin – we are allowing Jesus to live within us – fulfilling His purpose – through us – to draw those around us - into the presence of the Father.
I suppose – God may have shared the intimate details of His concern, for the crys of those who were among the wicked in the cities of Sodom – with Abraham – full well knowing – that Abraham’s “true colors” would shine through - in the passion of his heart - humbled by what God had overlooked in his own life, as failures – in order to fulfill His promise to provide through such an imperfect faith-walk – a means for all men everywhere – for all time – to come back into Relationship with God, ultimately through the life of Christ. And in fact – Abraham’s passion for the promise God had made through him – did shine through! In brilliant colors! of intercession!
It seems that – God’s Righteous Judgement is really not – the closing of ones eyes, to those who deserve harsh judgement - taking a deep breath – and demolishing a contaminated society - - – Rather, it is a measured discernment in dealing with what is wrong – which requires from us, as it did in walk of Abraham - compassionate intercession and God’s merciful, attentiveness – to show us that there is nothing random or vengeful, in the carrying out of divine judgement. As well – and perhaps – more importantly – God, our Father – walking with us, His children – daily in a walk of faith – can use the passion of our hearts – Christ living within us – to draw all men to Him!
Father – it never ceases to amaze me – how your Word – throughout all time – has provided us with so much information about you – your heart – your passion and love for your children – and Father, your desire for an intimate walk with us.
December 16 2009 04:18 pm | Fathering Moments - The Daily Walk and Living in the Word