By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
I decided to reflect a little on my previous posts from my recent bible reading today. I haven't done this yet; I didn't realize that I have a theme. What God seems to be teaching me right now (not only through my daily bible reading but also events in my life), is obedience. It's obviously on my mind, and I'm sure God knows why.
Time for an honest-self-check: am I willing to obey God? Whatever that means?
I am really good at saying that I don't want to be in the place where I know where I am going - I want the unknown and adventure...right? But then I look at Abraham, he went. And he was a stranger, he didn't get what was promised in his lifetime. Can I take the plunge, can I make those sacrifices?
I want to agree. My heart desires to be willing to give up comfortable and predictable. But it is scary. When the opportunity, not just any, but the right opportunity, comes along what will my answer be?
This makes me wonder why humans were created as "creatures of comfort" or "creatures of habit"? It probably comes down to God's love for us and Him giving us free will. Naturally we want what is easy. But in this context, I resent that part of my human nature.
Obedience. Submitting my will over to God and His will. Cooperation. Open-mindedness. Am I able?
Time for an honest-self-check: am I willing to obey God? Whatever that means?
I am really good at saying that I don't want to be in the place where I know where I am going - I want the unknown and adventure...right? But then I look at Abraham, he went. And he was a stranger, he didn't get what was promised in his lifetime. Can I take the plunge, can I make those sacrifices?
I want to agree. My heart desires to be willing to give up comfortable and predictable. But it is scary. When the opportunity, not just any, but the right opportunity, comes along what will my answer be?
This makes me wonder why humans were created as "creatures of comfort" or "creatures of habit"? It probably comes down to God's love for us and Him giving us free will. Naturally we want what is easy. But in this context, I resent that part of my human nature.
Obedience. Submitting my will over to God and His will. Cooperation. Open-mindedness. Am I able?
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