 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
Genesis 12:10-13
I am amazed by how many significant things we see in this passage. Sarai was a woman in her 70's, yet she possessed such beauty that it made Abram fearful that he would be killed so the Egyptians could steal her from him. Here is an assignment for you. Spend a little time examining the women (or men) who are in their 70's. You will soon discover that they are not the raving beauties they were when they were in their twenties. It is sad that many people, both men and women are attracted to external beauty. When it begins to fade in the object of their affection, they begin to seek another to fill the place of the fading rose. How sad! My precious Joyce and I have been sweethearts for almost 60 years. The first time I saw her my heart did a double flip. That was when were going into the 9th grade. We went through high school together and were married just after graduation. After all of these years Joyce possesses a beauty has not faded with the passing years. It is an inner beauty that grows sweeter with each passing year. But that is not the focus of my attention for today. What I really want to consider is why Abram was going to Egypt in the first place? Think about it. He was specifically called by God to go into a land that God would show him. He acted in obedience by following God into the land of Canaan. Having been there for awhile, there was a famine in the land. We find nowhere that Abram inquired of the Lord. It seems that he neglected the importance of seeking out God to ask for guidance and direction in this decision. He took it upon his own initiative to go to Egypt. As we carefully study the life of Abram, who became Abraham, it is easy for us to question his lack of trust in God. We can almost scream across the millennia of time - - "Wait on the Lord!" We must consult God first before we act! We can readily see the failure in Abram, but what about our own oversights? How many times are we guilty of making choices on our own without praying first and waiting for God's direction? Here is how we usually operate: We get ourselves into a mess, and then call out to the Lord to rescue us. Someone has observed that it is easier to ask forgiveness than to ask permission. That is poor logic and even poorer theology. It is amazing that God often blesses our messes, but how much better things would be if we stopped running ahead of God. It is well to remember that not only are the steps of the righteous ordered of the Lord, but also the stops of the righteous are ordered of the Lord. We only have a few more days left in this year of 2007. It would be well to spend some time in prayer and commitment. Resolve that we will endeavor to seek God in all of our actions -- before we make those moves. Here is a wonderful passage to serve as our guide: Proverbs 3:5,6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing. --- Pastor Cecil
©
MMVIII, The GOOD BOOK Company, All Rights Reserved. Phone
Order Line: 1-888-808-0070 Christian Book Store - Christian Posters - Christian Art - Christian Music - Gifts
|
|
|
|
|
