I really like the quotation you pen with, Carol! I've found that true in my life.
As I've read about Abraham I'm hit with a few things. We see first that he believed God (had faith) and was willing to leave all the comforts of the known and follow God into an unknown place and the whole time he worshipped God - lifted up HIS name. Then all of a sudden we see him lie about his wife. (I know she was his half-sister, but his intent was to deceive.) I am struck, maybe because I'm leading a Bible study tonight on Matt. 4 which has the account of Jesus' temptation, by the contrast between Abraham's action in Egypt and Jesus' response when tempted in the wilderness. Satan is ever subtle in his deceptions. Both temptations seem reasonable, perhaps even prudent, if thought about in a worldy-wise sense. I can see Abram's rationalization: "What's so wrong with a little white lie? It is "technically" true. Sarai is my half-sister. And this way we'll buy some time... got to watch out for myself." Just like with Jesus - He was hungry and after all He could turn stones into bread. Why have the power if you don't use it? Satan wanted to create doubt in Jesus' mind (challenged his Sonship), seems to me. And I think Abraham doubted God, doubted that God would provide for him, in Egypt.
Anyway, I'm hit with how evident God's grace is in spite of Abraham's failure to trust. And I'm thankful that Abraham's failures are recorded for us, not just his acts of faith and obedience.
One more thing... in chapter 13... I love the love and kindness of Abraham demonstrated here with Lot. The willingness to not grasp something that was really his right.
And I'm going to have to figure out a way to write longer comments. This little box just doesn't cut it. Maybe I'll write them in Word and the paste them.
I'm chewing on these chapters and if I have time will be back for
Faith -- Abram believed God. Sounds so simple. God says, "leave your homeland and travel to a place I will show you," not even telling him where he was to go. And Abram responds by simply going.
And when God told Abram (while Sarai was still barren) that his children would be as numerous as the stars in the sky, he "believed in the Lord."
But when God told him he would give him and his descendants possession of the land, Abram wasn't so sure. He asked God for confirmation of that one. So God gave him a legal covenant.
He wasn't always perfectly full of faith (Sarai is my sister & I'll have a child by Hagar), but he did some drastic, obedient things because of his faith.
Makes me think -- Is my faith just mental belief? Or do I act on what I say I believe? Do I listen when God tells me to do something, even if it's unreasonable to my way of thinking?
Sometimes I believe God, and sometimes I do things my way, Sometimes I feel I need confirmation from God, and sometimes I just simply do/believe what He says without thinking about it. But I hope that the longer I'm on this journey, the more I trust God. He has proven Himself faithful to me.
Abram built altars to the Lord when God promised him something. I have a few of those "altars" in my life. Places where I recognized God's hand so clearly that it is indelibly printed in my mind. Later, when I wonder what God is doing, I look back at those "altars" and God's promises in the Bible, and remember that He is always faithful and I can always trust Him. I have no need to fear.
Something I think is absolutely incredible here is that Abraham believed, and God counted it as righteousness. THAT counts as righteousness?? A piddly little no-brainer thing like trusting the trustworthy, believing the one who can't lie, taking at his word the one who speaks only truth? Why would that count as righteousness? Abraham was NOT righteous, and his trust and belief were demonstrably lacking as well. What credit is there in accepting the self-evident? There is none--there's only demerit in NOT accepting it, and yet God was willing to forgive the demerit and credit as RIGHTEOUSNESS, of all impossible things, what deserved no credit whatsoever, what was in itself not a merit at all. That is so amazing.
I think what struck me most was the wisdom (and selfLESSness) Abram had in telling Lot to choose his land. If that had been me I would have said, "My idea, I get to choose and I'll choose the best!" But Abram told Lot to choose-- which was very wise.
It kept peace with Lot rather than causing hard feelings. If he had told Lot, "We need to separate and I'll be taking the best land", he would have caused Lot to be angry and they would have separated with Lot feeling like he had been taken advantage of. Lot chose his own land and chose his own "lot" in life. Abram accepted the poorer land and God blessed him even more! "After Lot was gone, the Lord said to Abram, 'Look as far as you can see in every direction. I am going to give all this land to you and your offspring as a permanent possession. And I am going to give you so many descendants that, like dust, they cannot be counted! Take a walk in every direction and explore the new possessions I am giving you." It reminds me not to worry when it seems like someone has taken advantage of me because God is the final judge and he can bless me even more than I can imagine from circumstances that seem so hopeless!
I loved that Abram resisted the financial temptation at the end of chapter 14 and God says, "Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great." Again, remember to do what is right and God will take care of the rest.
I also noted that Abram was another "Man of Faith". Amazing to me that the formula for salvation is so clearly written out in chapter 15 verse 6. Believe and by faith he will make you righteous!
One last observation. The angel said, "Return to your mistress and submit to her authority". I couldn't help but think of how that relates to husbands and wives or any other relationship where we are called to submit. Also, What do you think this passage says about surrogate parenting (if anything)? Connie
Yes Becky and Katrina, he left all that he knew to follow to a place he did not know. That is FAITH! I ask myself, "Could I do that?" I want to worship God in the midst of the unknown journey. He sees where I am going even though I do not always see that. I want to grow in faith even though it seems like I am trudging through mud at times!
Katrina - love your "altars" affirmation. I try to have physical reminders of those bench mark times in my life too. It helps me to look at them and remember what God did in the past assuring me that He is here in my present circumstance too.
Rachel - Yes, pretty amazing!
Connie - I love what you said about not worrying when others seems to be taking advantage of you, that God knows the score. I have struggled with that because I have had many "takers" in my life who have used me for their own gain. This example of Abram is a good reminder!
Surrogate parenting, I don't know. What were you thinking about that?
Carol, will anyone see this thread if I answer here?
About surrogate parenting...I was thinking, so many women...say "I can't get pregnant so I must need fertility drugs or a surrogate parent." I have often wondered if that is a lack of faith in God's plan. If our bodies are unable to carry a child we can take drugs or put our fertilized egg in another woman and she can carry the child to term for us. If our eggs are not viable then we can even allow our husbands sperm to be placed in another woman and she can carry a child with her egg. That is similar to what Abram did with the maid servant except he actually had sex with her. But really God was angry about the lack of trust in his guidance and timing in their life. I know we can say, "Yes but if God didn't want us to have a child the fertility treatments or the surrogacy wouldn't work because he is still in control" but at what point might he give us over to our own desires. Just a point to consider and I don't mean to bring up a difficult subject because I know there might be people here who have used fertility treatments and I don't necessarily have anything against it. I have a friend with 2 beautiful babies because of it. I was just curious if anyone thought it made a statement and if so what. No offense intended in any way. Connie
6 comments:
I really like the quotation you pen with, Carol! I've found that true in my life.
As I've read about Abraham I'm hit with a few things. We see first that he believed God (had faith) and was willing to leave all the comforts of the known and follow God into an unknown place and the whole time he worshipped God - lifted up HIS name. Then all of a sudden we see him lie about his wife. (I know she was his half-sister, but his intent was to deceive.) I am struck, maybe because I'm leading a Bible study tonight on Matt. 4 which has the account of Jesus' temptation, by the contrast between Abraham's action in Egypt and Jesus' response when tempted in the wilderness. Satan is ever subtle in his deceptions. Both temptations seem reasonable, perhaps even prudent, if thought about in a worldy-wise sense. I can see Abram's rationalization: "What's so wrong with a little white lie? It is "technically" true. Sarai is my half-sister. And this way we'll buy some time... got to watch out for myself." Just like with Jesus - He was hungry and after all He could turn stones into bread. Why have the power if you don't use it? Satan wanted to create doubt in Jesus' mind (challenged his Sonship), seems to me. And I think Abraham doubted God, doubted that God would provide for him, in Egypt.
Anyway, I'm hit with how evident God's grace is in spite of Abraham's failure to trust. And I'm thankful that Abraham's failures are recorded for us, not just his acts of faith and obedience.
One more thing... in chapter 13... I love the love and kindness of Abraham demonstrated here with Lot. The willingness to not grasp something that was really his right.
And I'm going to have to figure out a way to write longer comments. This little box just doesn't cut it. Maybe I'll write them in Word and the paste them.
I'm chewing on these chapters and if I have time will be back for
Faith -- Abram believed God. Sounds so simple. God says, "leave your homeland and travel to a place I will show you," not even telling him where he was to go. And Abram responds by simply going.
And when God told Abram (while Sarai was still barren) that his children would be as numerous as the stars in the sky, he "believed in the Lord."
But when God told him he would give him and his descendants possession of the land, Abram wasn't so sure. He asked God for confirmation of that one. So God gave him a legal covenant.
He wasn't always perfectly full of faith (Sarai is my sister & I'll have a child by Hagar), but he did some drastic, obedient things because of his faith.
Makes me think -- Is my faith just mental belief? Or do I act on what I say I believe? Do I listen when God tells me to do something, even if it's unreasonable to my way of thinking?
Sometimes I believe God, and sometimes I do things my way, Sometimes I feel I need confirmation from God, and sometimes I just simply do/believe what He says without thinking about it. But I hope that the longer I'm on this journey, the more I trust God. He has proven Himself faithful to me.
Abram built altars to the Lord when God promised him something. I have a few of those "altars" in my life. Places where I recognized God's hand so clearly that it is indelibly printed in my mind. Later, when I wonder what God is doing, I look back at those "altars" and God's promises in the Bible, and remember that He is always faithful and I can always trust Him. I have no need to fear.
Something I think is absolutely incredible here is that Abraham believed, and God counted it as righteousness. THAT counts as righteousness?? A piddly little no-brainer thing like trusting the trustworthy, believing the one who can't lie, taking at his word the one who speaks only truth? Why would that count as righteousness? Abraham was NOT righteous, and his trust and belief were demonstrably lacking as well. What credit is there in accepting the self-evident? There is none--there's only demerit in NOT accepting it, and yet God was willing to forgive the demerit and credit as RIGHTEOUSNESS, of all impossible things, what deserved no credit whatsoever, what was in itself not a merit at all. That is so amazing.
I think what struck me most was the wisdom (and selfLESSness) Abram had in telling Lot to choose his land. If that had been me I would have said, "My idea, I get to choose and I'll choose the best!" But Abram told Lot to choose-- which was very wise.
It kept peace with Lot rather than causing hard feelings. If he had told Lot, "We need to separate and I'll be taking the best land", he would have caused Lot to be angry and they would have separated with Lot feeling like he had been taken advantage of. Lot chose his own land and chose his own "lot" in life. Abram accepted the poorer land and God blessed him even more! "After Lot was gone, the Lord said to Abram, 'Look as far as you can see in every direction. I am going to give all this land to you and your offspring as a permanent possession. And I am going to give you so many descendants that, like dust, they cannot be counted! Take a walk in every direction and explore the new possessions I am giving you." It reminds me not to worry when it seems like someone has taken advantage of me because God is the final judge and he can bless me even more than I can imagine from circumstances that seem so hopeless!
I loved that Abram resisted the financial temptation at the end of chapter 14 and God says, "Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great." Again, remember to do what is right and God will take care of the rest.
I also noted that Abram was another "Man of Faith". Amazing to me that the formula for salvation is so clearly written out in chapter 15 verse 6. Believe and by faith he will make you righteous!
One last observation. The angel said, "Return to your mistress and submit to her authority". I couldn't help but think of how that relates to husbands and wives or any other relationship where we are called to submit. Also, What do you think this passage says about surrogate parenting (if anything)?
Connie
Yes Becky and Katrina, he left all that he knew to follow to a place he did not know. That is FAITH! I ask myself, "Could I do that?" I want to worship God in the midst of the unknown journey. He sees where I am going even though I do not always see that. I want to grow in faith even though it seems like I am trudging through mud at times!
Katrina - love your "altars" affirmation. I try to have physical reminders of those bench mark times in my life too. It helps me to look at them and remember what God did in the past assuring me that He is here in my present circumstance too.
Rachel - Yes, pretty amazing!
Connie - I love what you said about not worrying when others seems to be taking advantage of you, that God knows the score. I have struggled with that because I have had many "takers" in my life who have used me for their own gain. This example of Abram is a good reminder!
Surrogate parenting, I don't know. What were you thinking about that?
Carol, will anyone see this thread if I answer here?
About surrogate parenting...I was thinking, so many women...say "I can't get pregnant so I must need fertility drugs or a surrogate parent." I have often wondered if that is a lack of faith in God's plan. If our bodies are unable to carry a child we can take drugs or put our fertilized egg in another woman and she can carry the child to term for us. If our eggs are not viable then we can even allow our husbands sperm to be placed in another woman and she can carry a child with her egg. That is similar to what Abram did with the maid servant except he actually had sex with her. But really God was angry about the lack of trust in his guidance and timing in their life. I know we can say, "Yes but if God didn't want us to have a child the fertility treatments or the surrogacy wouldn't work because he is still in control" but at what point might he give us over to our own desires. Just a point to consider and I don't mean to bring up a difficult subject because I know there might be people here who have used fertility treatments and I don't necessarily have anything against it. I have a friend with 2 beautiful babies because of it. I was just curious if anyone thought it made a statement and if so what. No offense intended in any way.
Connie
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