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Chapter 12 introduces the promise from God to make a great nation out of Abrams’ descendants. And sometimes it is the simplicity of the Bible that makes it so entertaining and inspiring to read. The Lord said to Abram, “Go”. Not “will you go” or “when you get time would you please”. None of that sort of thing – just simply “GO!” And, in keeping with the “simplistic method”, Abram “went!” There are no signs of pushback from Abram, no verbal repartee, no questions of why, what for, or for how long. He just went and his journey begins.
More than likely a man of his age is set in his ways, probably a little resistant to trying out new things. But God knows something special about Abram. There is nothing written about Abraham other than he is a descendant of Noah.
And maybe that one single thread is important. Noah was described as “a righteous man, blameless, and walked faithfully with God”. Perhaps those traits were inherited by Abraham. And, maybe, just like God needed Noah, He also needed Abraham. And Abraham needed God.
Abraham and Sarah are being offered something that they had probably over the years given up on, something as simple as children, a family. Quite frankly, they are being given more than they could have hoped for. What great faith Abraham exhibits. And the trust to go into an unknown land and give up the comforts of home at a late stage of his life. Abraham is very good at listening, obeying, and trusting.
I think back to a period in my own life 30 years ago when God made his plan known to me. I was single, separated, living in Anderson, working for the bank. Somewhere along the way I had put my name in the hat for a transfer to Spartanburg. I was invited over to interview and meet the local team and when driving back to Anderson I started thinking why do I want to leave my hometown? Why leave the comfort and support of my friends and family? The more I thought about it, the more foolish the idea of moving seemed to be. I remember getting down on my knees one night in prayer and asking God not to transfer me, I made a mistake and did not wish to leave. There were other people interested in the opening. Give it to one of them. Shortly thereafter God answered my prayers. The transfer was approved. God said “GO” and I “WENT”. Packed up all my possessions. Somewhat unwillingly.
I was not as smart as Abraham. I pushed back. It’s funny how upon looking back, things begin to clear up. During the last 30 years, I joined First Presbyterian, met someone who agreed to marry me, we raised a small family, and in looking back I realize that coming to Spartanburg, and leaving the comfort zones that I had built up around me, were the best things that could have happened. And it is all because God pushed me out of bed the morning after that prayer to begin a journey.
Now, I am not suggesting to anyone that you need to pack up and move somewhere. On the contrary. God is always knocking, He is always pulling us or pushing us to do something, He has ways of saying “GO”.
When we feel that tug or nudge of God saying “GO – Do Something”, maybe the idea of packing up our possessions is metaphorical. In other words, what if we are being asked to pack away a negative attitude about a neighbor or relative? What if God wants us to pack up a grudge, we are holding against someone? Do we need to let go of old attitudes or preconceived ideas to find the forgiveness that is necessary for us to grow in our relationship with God? It takes a lot of courage to look inside of ourselves, it takes a commitment to the unknown of where it will lead. Just like Abram, it takes Trust and Obedience to answer this call and start on this journey.
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