The first of the five lessons is seen in Genesis 22:1- Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am."
I do not want us to focus here on the fact that God was testing Abraham and we could have a long discussion about that but I want to focus our attention today on something else, something powerful that happens.
1. God called Abraham by name and Abraham was listening and responded.
God calling Abraham by name indicates that he knows Abraham – that there is a relationship there. If you study the book of Genesis you will see that there is quite a relationship between God and Abraham. It should not surprise us that God knew his name because He knows all of us by name and he desires a relationship with all of us. Do you understand the fact that God knows you by name today? Has God ever called out your name? I am sure that he has but the real question comes back to what Abraham did – listen and responded.
God knows you by name and calls you by name but are you listening? Are you too caught up in the things of life and miss out on the calling that God has for you? If you do hear, are you responding to the Lord calling your name or are you ignoring it? We can act like we do not hear it but know that the Lord is calling for you.
Abraham responded with “Here I am”. Which reminds me of this verse from Isaiah – verse 6:8 which says this: Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!" There is interesting common ground between both Abraham and Isaiah and that is that for both of them there was a calling. With Abraham it was about God calling to get his attention then giving him the instructions which we will see in a moment. With Isaiah it was about the calling being made and Isaiah being willing to volunteer. They both are dealing with a calling – both without all the details being given. Isaiah after volunteering learned he was going to share the Good News with people who would not listen and whose hearts were calloused – not a job most people would want to volunteer for. You have to wonder would Isaiah have been as willing if he known this information in advance. We then see that Abraham is called then finds out that it is to sacrifice his son – again it would be tough to accept the call when if you knew this would be the task at hand. In both cases it would be tough but as we see with both they accept the call.
God is calling but are you responding? Maybe you are waiting till you get all the information before you are willing to answer the call of God? Think about that because most of the time will do not have all the answers and information before we go. God is call but are you responding ? Have you responded? Have you responded to the call of God in your life – whatever that may be?
What are your thoughts on this today?
In all honesty I must admit to times of obedience to His call and other times of sheer disobedience or lack of understanding to His voice. I definitely need to be more like Abe. Good thoughts today Jim.
I am with you – I fall there too -sometimes obedience and sometime my own way. I too need to be more like Abe.
Thanks Bill.
It’s so important that we are listening! Sometimes we think he’s not speaking only because he’s not saying what we want to hear. We have to listen unconditionally.
Love this – ” Sometimes we think he’s not speaking only because he’s not saying what we want to hear. ” – I think you hit the nail on the head!
Thanks Mo.
Have to agree with mo on this one – listening is key, because after you listen, you engage.
Love me some Abraham.
As a matter of fact you Chronicle Abraham don’t you
I keep referring to the Experiencing God study by Henry Blackaby. In the study, Blackaby points out that seldom does God lay out His entire plan to people. Typically God asks us to take one step in obedience. Once that step has been accomplished, He will guide us to the next step….
I’m in the same camp as Bill. Sometimes I do great in obeying… other times, not so much.
How true the Blackaby thought is – one step of obedience at a time.
I am with you and Bill in that camp.
Thanks Dusty.
I shouting here I am.
He will answer my friend – for sure – He WILL answer.
Thanks Michael.
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