Faith — The Call – Monday
TODAY’S VERSE
Genesis 12:1
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.” (ESV)
Can you think of a time when a phone call determined a direction for your life? I’ll share two. I was in high school with my sights set on a career in broadcasting. I arrived home one evening, and my mom said that someone had called from a local radio station asking to speak with me. My heart raced. I returned the call, and it essentially turned into my first job working on the air in radio. (The experience was great, but after a few years and a few radio stations, I faced the realization that very few people can make a decent career in local radio broadcasting. It was a lesson I needed to learn!) The other call was from Southland, many years later, letting me know that they wanted to interview me for a role on the ministry staff. That call happened about 15 years ago. One call can make a difference! Ask Abraham.
His name was Abram when God spoke to him, and God didn’t approach Abram because he had already proven to be faithful. On the contrary, Joshua 24:2 says Abram and his family actually “served other gods.” Despite this, God had plans. I’m grateful that God can see in us things we can’t see in ourselves. Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you”. We don’t have details about how God revealed Himself to Abram, but I can only imagine how Abram must have felt about his previous worship of the moon and idols once he had experienced the presence of the living God!
Although hearing directly from God would seemingly carry with it a lot of motivation, there was something still required of Abram: Faith. Most of us doubt we could have enough faith to respond to God the way Abram did. But Jesus said faith the size of a mustard seed is enough to move mountains. Even with faith like a child, the mountain of our sin can be leveled as we hear God’s Word and respond to God’s grace by faith. And no mountain can get in the way of God’s plan as we allow Him to direct our steps through faith. God’s faithfulness is something Abraham would experience over and over.
APPLICATION
Are feelings of being “unworthy” or “unqualified” keeping you from something you know God would bless? Use Abraham’s story to reset your assumptions.
PRAYER
Father, help me discredit the doubts and find Your voice in Your word. And in Your Word, help me find the courage to say yes to Your call.
