Our Father of Faith: Abraham

Lately I have recognized that in America, Christianity has been taught with such a "western culture mindset", that we are missing the truth, depth and richness of the gospel. It may be true that "gospel" means "good news", but it seems that so much church teaching focuses on "self help techniques", or "how to", rather than focusing on the character, holiness and power of God. My hearts desire (and what I see is a tremendous need) for the community of God - believers in Yeshua, Jesus - is to go beyond surfacy Christianity, truly lay down our lives, take up our cross and follow Jesus. I never much liked teachings that hinted that "suffering" was something a Christian should expect or accept. Who needs that? No, the Christianity I liked was a Christianity that says that Jesus came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly - and that the anointing breaks the yoke and sets the captive free - that God will meet all my needs according to His riches in glory - that we are more than conquerors through Him that loves us - and all the promises of God are yes and amen! Who can't say amen to that?

The only problem was that whenever a negative, overwhelming problem presented itself in my life, I was blown away. I could not figure it out. I thought that God had abandoned me, or that somehow I was being treated unfairly by God because He was allowing "poor me" to go through this terrible circumstance. I would launch into an effort to muster my faith and fight a good fight. But I must admit that I felt God had let me down somehow, or that I must have opened some door to allow this bad thing into my life, or that something I had done had shut the door to God's power. In any case, a lot of "wondering" went on.

Recently I have been struck with some of the scriptures concerning our "father in the faith" - Abraham. His relationship with God was so strong that it caused Abraham to be a conqueror in life.

Genesis 21:9-11 tells us, "Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom Hagar had borne to Abraham, making fun of Isaac; so Sarah said to Abraham, 'Throw out this slave-girl! And her son! I will not have this slave-girl's son as your heir along with my son Isaac!' Abraham became very distressed over this matter of his son."

Now we can easily dismiss what Abraham must have felt, because we read in the next verses that God spoke to Abraham and said, "Don't be distressed because of the boy and your slave-girl. Listen to everything Sarah says to you, because it is your descendants through Isaac who will be counted. But I will also make a nation from the son of the slave-girl, since he is descended from you."

Abraham's strength came from hearing from God. God was faithful to speak to Abraham. But it also remains a fact that Abraham was a human being, subject to feelings. Distress over a situation like the one in Gen. 21 was real. In Gen. 15:1 God again speaks to Abraham and says, "Don't be afraid, Abraham. I am your protector; your reward will be very great." Why would God say, "Don't be afraid", unless Abraham had been feeling afraid."

Then in Genesis 21:14 we read that, "Abraham got up early in the morning, took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child; then he sent her away."

Also, I am reminded of Lot - Abraham's nephew. 2Peter 2:8 says, "For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds". His mind, will and emotions were vexed daily. I have experienced that kind of emotion. It is not pleasant. However, verse 7 tells us that God delivered Lot. Verse 9 says that, "God knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations. . ."

The lesson from Abraham and Lot is that in the middle of vexing, fearful and distressing situations, turn to God, looking to him for direction - and immediately obey when direction comes.

While writing this blog this morning, a program came on the radio that spoke exactly what I am attempting to deal with. The program was by Don Gossett. He told about people who prayed much, begging and crying out to God for some time over certain situations. The answer to their prayers came when the people strengthened themselves through making a decision to trust God, obey the scriptures and "watch with thanksgiving" for the answer to their prayers.

Once Abraham heard from God, he obeyed quickly.

There is so much to learn from Abraham. Let's not skim over the verses and dismiss the fact that he was human and experienced human emotions. It is too easy to "romanticize" the scriptures and simply read them as nice stories about people who were "extra ordinary", or extraordinary.

There is a time to pour your heart out to God. When you are vexed, fearful, distressed or tormented, cry out to God. Turn to the Scriptures. Then strengthen yourself in Him. Remember and think on His faithfulness. His promises. His ability. What does the Scripture say concerning your desires? Are you praying for others to come to know God? Are you praying for others to be made whole or to be healed? Are you praying for God to pour out His mercy and help in a circumstance? Then you can know that you are praying for God's will to be done. John 5:14, 15 tells us, "This is the confidence we have in His presence; if we ask anything that accords with His will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - then we know that we have what we have asked from him."

Romans 4:18-20 is marvellous! It speaks of Abraham, telling us, "For he was past hope, yet in hope he trusted that he would indeed become a father to many nations, in keeping with what he had been told. . .His trust did not waver when he considered his own body . . .or when he considered that Sarah's womb was dead too. He did not by lack of trust decide against God's promises. On the contrary, by trust he was given power as he gave glory to God."

The Psalms are full of prayers to God that were offered during times of great distress. The pattern is clear. Cry out to God. Plead your case. Then strengthen yourself in Him by calling to remembrance His faithfulness. And then praise Him. By making a decision to trust God, give glory to God.