THURSDAY February 23, 2023
An Historical Discourse
“Then he [Abraham] came out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran. And from there, when his father was dead, He moved him to this land in which you now dwell.”
Acts 7:4
Stephen began his sermon, and, from the book of Genesis, elaborated to the council how God established the nation of Israel through Abraham–– the father of the nation. God called him to leave Ur an ancient city in Mesopotamia. Abraham obeyed, and he stepped out by faith on a journey to a country God would show him. He did not know where he was going, but God would be with him. He would guide and provide for Abraham along the way.
God called Abraham to leave his country. Did you know he only went about 600 miles, and then he stopped? He refrained from his journey until his father was dead! Although Abraham was a man of faith, he was not perfect. He had lapses of faith, but because of the grace of God, in Hebrews 11:8, we find recorded: By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
Neither are we perfect. We sin, have lapses of faith, disobey, and all make mistakes. Think about the call of God in our lives. Through the grace and mercy of God, we are called out––to be separated from the world:
“Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).
God has received us as His sons and daughters. He has called us to follow Him––to serve, love and obey Him. God may have already placed a call on your heart to get involved in ministry or to go on the mission field. Are you procrastinating? Have you failed to take a step of faith? Maybe unbelief has hindered your obedience to obey the call of God. Be encouraged, take a step of faith, and see what God will do through you.
Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.
~Martin Luther King Jr.~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
