I HAVE ALWAYS wondered why God will look down from heaven and choose a man.
But I have since realized that whatever He does is for a reason.
God repeatedly showed Joseph dreams about the future to prepare him for a leadership role. (Genesis 37)
Samuel was in the house of Eli, the priest when God called him. And the third time, he said, “Speak for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10)
Moses was a fugitive when he saw a strange sight—and God told him to return to Egypt to deliver his people. (Exodus 3:1-10)
Whenever God speaks to you, he wants to teach you how not to lose everything.
The Narrative
GOD SPOKE to Abram. ‘Get up and go! Leave your country. Leave your relatives and your father’s home and travel to the land that I will show you. Don’t worry—I will guide you there.’ (Genesis 12:1)
He got into a special relationship with one man to change the course of humanity.
God has a plan
THERE IS NOTHING to show that Abram did something. But there are things to show that God was merciful to Him.
If you are a believer in Christ—by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not your own doing, (Ephesians 2:9)
He promised to bless him, make him great and through his descendants bless the earth.
Likewise, God has a plan for your life.
His plans are for welfare and not for evil to give you a future and hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Hold on to His Promise
TO LAY HOLD of this promise, he had to do something daring—leave all he knows for a land that God will show him.
Abram had to trust God.
Without hesitation, he left with his wife, Sarai, his nephew, Lot, and all he had.
When he reached Canaan, God appeared to him and promised that he would give his children the Canaan land.
If you are going to walk with God, you must come to terms with Him. (Amos 3:3)
God will test You
AT THE APPOINTED time, Sarah had a son—and they rejoiced at his birth.
But he was the only thing in Abraham’s life that competed with God.
‘Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.’ (Genesis 22:2)
Abraham must have laid awake struggling—and asking, ‘God are you sure.’
It must have been difficult, especially when Isaac said, “Father, I can see the knife and the wood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice.” (Genesis 22:7)
All that God was doing was to test Abraham’s love for him.
Yet, he proceeded to obey God. And God stopped him from laying his hands on the boy.
He provided Abraham with a lamb, a perfect sacrifice. (Genesis 22:120)
Abraham proved his love for God through his willingness to sacrifice his son.
What sacrifice I can offer You is my broken spirit because a broken spirit, O God, a heart that honestly regrets the past, You won’t detest. (Psalm 51:17)
Remove every Idol
JESUS KNEW that without sufficient understanding and insight, his disciples would continue to grope in the dark.
He appeared to them at the beach to change their perspective.
There was no doubt that Peter loved Jesus. After all, when they came to arrest him, he cut off the ear of the servant of the High Priest. (John 18:10)
However, there were things in his life competing with his love for Christ.
There were idols he needed to remove.
And Jesus asked him, “Do you love me more than these?” (John 21:15)
Are there things in your life competing with his love? Don’t be quick to answer. Think deeply.
If you answer quickly, you are likely not telling the truth.
And anything you prefer to God is an idol. Idols are usually subtle.
Peter reaffirmed his love for the Master. His doubts vaporized.
God’s love cost the Father, Jesus Christ.
If your love for Him does not cost you something, you do not love Him.
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
IS THERE anything in your life competing with your love for God?
If the answer is yes, the best approach is to lay it down before Him. And he will decide if you’ll have it back or give you something else in its place.
Abraham lost nothing by laying it down, and you will lose nothing by doing the same.