“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” (Hebrews 11:8)
Not very long ago, for many folks especially in the developed first world, if you had to undertake a long journey, it all started with getting out a physical map to guide you. Matter of fact I once had a summer odd job which would mail out travel destination maps to anxious clients. But these days all you need is an app which drops a Google pin and you are in business.
Now, are you one of those who can’t drive to another distant place without a Google pin to guide you along! There are folks to be confident to undertake a journey, all must start with a Google pin. Otherwise they stay put.
Think on the contrary when the Lord said to Abraham, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you” (Gen 12:1), nothing was clear and he had no map! But Abraham was a man of faith. He left and would once end up in Egypt, where a king competed for his wife and, then to Negev, where he and Lot had to go separate ways because of a swelling conflict ( Gen 12-13).
Ultimately, this journey of faith would yield great reward. As it is noted “Abraham was now very old, and the Lord had blessed him in every way” ( Gen 24:1). Having got his son Isaac a wife, Rebekah, he “lived a hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people” (Gen 25:7-8).
Like Abraham, you too, the Lord might be calling you out on a journey of faith. Nothing seems clear or certain. There is no map. But led by the spirit the Lord will not only guide but reward your faith.
Prayer today: Lord father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, even when nothing seems clear and the road ahead is clouded with uncertanties, I look up to you to guide and make me triumphant in this journey, this I pray in Jesus’s name
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
