Sure Steps

"By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God's call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home.  When he left he had no idea where he was going.  By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents." Hebrews 11:8-9

My friends, you have no idea how sweet and beautiful this passage is to me this morning.   God has been leading me down a new journey as well.  In the next few days, I hope to share all that He is doing with our family....but, for now, I ask for your prayers.

God has drawn me to our faith-walking Abram (soon to be Abraham) and how he shows a history of obeying (in blindness) our God.  He wasn't perfect as we studied just a few days ago, but even in his mistakes, God was glorified.  God doesn't expect perfection- remember it is HE who knitted us in the womb.  More than anyone, He knows our limitations, but He still chooses to use us for His kingdom work.  Our Father enables us to be all that He needs to complete His purpose and that is what He did with Abram.  All He asks is that we are willing-willing to abandon all that we have known to walk a new journey- often in blindness- but with the assurance that He will never leave us. 

If Abram thought this journey would be easy and free of conflict, he was wrong.  Life is still life and as we studied yesterday, soon conflict arose with Lot, his nephew.  In order to make peace, Abram offers Lot his choice of land in which to settle.  Lot, seeing a more profitable option, chose the land that seemed to hold more potential.... in a sinful land.  Remember when my boys had the great idea to launch themselves from one bed to another across the room? (Fertile Land)  It seemed like a good idea at the time- but, would bring much heartache.  Often that is the result when we look at things from the world's point of view. 

So, Lot leaves with visions of prosperity in His head.... if you have a Bible, we will be looking at Genesis 14 in it's entirety.  I will share our "focus verses" which include Genesis 14:11-16.

"The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and headed for home, taking with them all the spoils of war and the food supplies. They also captured Lot—Abram’s nephew who lived in Sodom—and carried off everything he owned. But one of Lot’s men escaped and reported everything to Abram the Hebrew, who was living near the oak grove belonging to Mamre the Amorite. Mamre and his relatives, Eshcol and Aner, were Abram’s allies. When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household. Then he pursued Kedorlaomer’s army until he caught up with them at Dan. There he divided his men and attacked during the night. Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives." (Genesis 14:11-16 NLT)

The areas of Sodom and Gomorrah decided to rebel against another king that had been ruling over them, and as a result a great battle ensued.  Sodom and Gomorrah lost and as the King Kedorlaomer and his army chased them, Lot and his family were plundered.  They and all of their possessions were taken, but by God's grace, one servant escaped and fled to Abram.  It would have been easy for Abram to recognize the strength of this enemy and have backed away in fear.... the consequences were too much. But, God enabled Abram to have great courage in the moment of need- not a lack of fear, but strong willingness to follow God into battle despite the fear.  He pursued Kedorlaomer's army and defeated them rescuing Lot, his family and all his possessions.  My friend, this was no small feat considering the armies this group had already defeated- many were brutal and ruthless in origin.  You must know that God was with Abram and his men.... they battled, but God was the strength behind the sword.

Lot, was rescued, but he still returned to the land near Sodom and Gomorrah.  What?  Yes, we find later in scriptures that he returned to that land and his struggles will continue.  This may very well have been a test for Lot to draw him back to the land of promise with his uncle Abram, but the pull for worldly prosperity is too much for Lot.  He will later lose all that Abram rescued and more.....

My friend, what kind of faith do you have or desire today?  The faith of Abram or the faith of Lot?  Only you can decide...but, know that God desires so much more for you than what this world would grant you.  Trust God... the path may be blurry, but your steps will never be more sure.

Blessings!