From: January 5, 2024
“And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord.” (Genesis 13:3-4 ESV).
After God rescued Abram from Pharaoh, having gone down to Egypt because of the famine, he returned to the old altar he had built near Bethel and Ai. There he once again called on the name of the Lord.
Abram had a habit of going “down to Egypt” whenever famine hit the land of Canaan. His descendants followed this habit. Although it may not always have been the case, “going down to Egypt” often represented dependence on the world rather than on God. Abram, whose name was later changed by God to Abraham, was a man of great faith, but he was also a man with all the shortcomings of humanity.
Abram did not stay in Egypt, but returned to the land to which the Lord had called him, even to the place of the altar which he had made at first. Perhaps the Bible refers to the “place,” because although Abram had returned, the altar had fallen into disrepair or had somehow been destroyed. Yet it seemed important to Abram that he return to the place of the altar he had made at first.
Sometimes we must return to first things in our relationship with the Lord in order to find our bearings again, especially when we have wandered off course.
In the letter that Jesus told John to write to the church at Ephesus, He warned that they had forsaken Him as their “first love” (Rev. 2:4). He instructed them to “repent and do the first works” again (Rev. 2:5).
With the beginning of this New Year, might we consider doing the same? Have we wondered off course and forsaken our first love? Let us return to the altar, worshiping the Lord again in first place.
PRAYER: Dear Father, our hearts are prone to wander, yet we would return to You. Forgive us when we lose our way and our zeal for Your calling on our lives. Strengthen us to always put You first. Thank You for Your love and calling on us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: January 5, 2023
‘The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you”‘ (Genesis 12:1 NLT).
The Lord called a 75 year old man named Abram to leave his father’s house and go to a land that God would show him. And he immediately obeyed God’s call.
Let us look at the implications of this verse. For there are at least five insights and applications for us to consider:
1) God calls. He still speaks to those who would listen.
2) God’s call is always beyond our comfort zone. Abram was old and at ease. Why should he leave the comfort of his father’s house and go out into the unknown? Yet, he obeyed.
3) Abram had the freedom to decline God’s call. God did not force him to obey.
4) God does not explain all the details when He calls. He told Abram to go to a land that He would show him.
5) God offers His active presence and guidance to those who answer His call. He may not have told Abram where he was to go, but He did promise to “show” him. In other words, once Abram started “going,” God would start “showing.” God would be with Abram to guide and protect him.
As we know, Abram obeyed God’s call. And through him, God has blessed all nations just as He promised. For this reason, God changed Abram’s name to “Abraham,” which means “father of nations.” Abraham trusted God’s promises before seeing their proof. He obeyed God’s call. He went where God told him to go, trusting that God would show.
We tend to want God to show before we go. But that’s not how God works. First, we must obey His call to go and then, going, we will see Him show up in ways we’ve never seen before!
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to hear Your voice today, so that we might hear and obey. Whether we are young or old, help us to always be ready to answer Your call. For we are Your servants, blood-bought by Your Son, Jesus. Forgive us where we have neglected Your guidance. Put our feet on the right path and strengthen us to walk by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: January 5, 2018
Abram began a pattern of going “down to Egypt” when famine hit the land of Canaan that his descendants also followed. Although it may not always have been the case, “going down to Egypt” often represented Israel’s dependence on the world rather than on God. Abram, whose name was later changed by God to Abraham, was a man of great faith, but he was also a man with all the shortcomings of humanity.
From: January 5, 2017
Abram obeyed God’s call to leave his home and go to a land that God would show him when he was 75 years old. At an age when most have long since retired, Abram had just got started. Abram obeyed God’s call. And God changed his name from Abram, which means “father,” to Abraham, which means “father of nations.” Abraham believed God and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Do you think it’s too late for you to obey God’s call on your life? Think again.
From: January 5, 2016
This is more an expression of resolve by the petitioner than an expectation that the Lord will hear the petition. “O Lord, in the morning [and every morning thereafter] you [will] hear my voice.” The psalmist David is expressing his determination to begin his days in prayer. He uses metaphoric language in the Hebrew to describe how he will pray. He speaks like an archer, saying “I will send my prayer towards You and to You alone, and watch to see that it hits the target.” Or like a priest, David plans to “prepare” his prayer like a morning “sacrifice,” arranged carefully upon the altar, and then, to watch the smoke arise to the throne of heaven. David is determined to begin his days in the offering up of prayers to God. These will not be sleepy, memorized mutterings, but carefully considered and arrayed prayers… prayers aimed at the heart of God.
From: January 5, 2015
This is the first of the Beatitudes in Christ’s Sermon on the Mount. Each one begins with the word, “Blessed” (Μακάριοι, Makarioi – blessed, happy, completely satisfied). This is not a state related to circumstance, but to God’s divine grace. Each one is also somewhat paradoxical or ironic, in that the recipient of the blessed state is not one usually considered so by the world. This is the world-turned-upside-down, Kingdom economy that Christ introduces. Here, the one who admits his spiritual poverty (“poor in spirit”), who confesses his sin and separation from God, this is the one who will be blessed by God giving him the Kingdom of Heaven. Yet, the opposite is also implied, that the one who thinks himself rich spiritually, already satisfied, this one will not enter the Kingdom. Are you spiritually hungry and impoverished in yourself? The recognition of this is a gift. Admitting your spiritual poverty apart from God is the first step into the blessed life.