"Abraham, Abraham…" said the LORD.
"LORD, is that You?" Abraham asked.
"Yes, My child," He responded tenderly. "I have something I want to say to you."
With eagerness, Abraham shot back, "Well, speak,
LORD! I’m listening. I will do whatever You say and go wherever
You ask me to go!"
"I know,
Abraham. That’s why I’m calling you
today. I have put that faith in your
heart, so you will trust Me wherever I send you," He said.
Bubbling over with excitement: "Thank You, LORD! Praise You, LORD! I do trust You. I love You.
Thank You for speaking to me and thank You for calling me and thank You
for loving me and…"
"ABRAHAM. Abraham," His strong voice echoed. "I am calling you… to leave your home country, the people you know, the
land you’re accustomed to, even your father’s family – and go!"
"Go? LORD, go where?" the man of faith wondered.
The firm and loving One: "Go… to the land I will show you."
Shaking but believing, His son replied, "Go.
Okay, go. And You will show me
where to go. What should I do in this
new land where You are sending me?"
"Abraham, do you
trust Me?"
"Yes, LORD! I trust You with all of my heart," Abraham immediately responded.
"Abraham, I’ll show
you what you must do in this new land," the ever-gracious One said.
Again thinking and wondering: "What about my wife?"
"Bring your wife
with you of course," the compassionate Father said.
Abraham thought aloud, "When we go to this
new land that You will show us and we do what you will tell us to do, what will
happen to us?"
"Abraham, do you
trust Me?"
Abraham said, "Yes, LORD! I trust You with all I am. And then some… I trust You, because You have taught me and
You help me to trust You!"
The LORD promised, "Abraham, I will
make you into a great nation, and I will bless you. I will make your name great, and you will be
a blessing. I will bless those who bless
you, and whoever curses you I will curse.
And all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. I am going to send the Savior through your
family."
"LORD, I trust
You," the man of God confessed. "I believe what You say is
true. At the same time, You have given
me no children, and I am already an old man.
My body is as good as dead."
"Abraham, do you
trust Me?"
"Yes, LORD! Oh, I trust You," Abraham said from the deepest part of his being. "You are God, and You can be fully trusted
always. Everything You do is good, and
everything You say is true and right."
Directing his gaze heavenward: "Abraham, look up at
the heavens and count the stars. If you can…" He said with a love-laced chuckle. "This is how many children your family will
have. Every person who believes in the
Savior will join your family of faith. Because
you believe, you are right with Me, and we are close friends."
"LORD, let’s go," His son Abraham responded, exploding with anticipation. "I will listen. I will follow You. Wherever You lead, let’s go together."
"Yes, Abraham, I
will be with you every step of the way.
I will always keep My promises to you – no matter what happens. I will speak to you, and you will follow Me. And you will speak My words to others. Let’s go, for I will be with you," said the LORD.
(Genesis 12:1-4; 15:3-6)