Title: Live like Abraham (Genesis 12:1-9)
Contents
Live like Abraham (Genesis 12:1-9)
Slovenia (the former Soviet Union) has agreed to award a medal of appreciation to British Chris Stuart. Mr. Stewart is a marathon runner (3rd place at the New York Marathon in 1976 and 1977). Even though I was in my 40s at the time, I competed in the Slovenia Marathon in the fall of 1991. At this time, civil war broke out in the country. Traffic was paralyzed and killings were everywhere. I fell into chaos. Medicines aided by the West did not reach the countryside or remote areas, and many people died. Mr. Stewart is a devout saint.
He thought of what he could do. It was to put a hold on returning to England and deliver Western aid medicines, especially urgently needed antibiotics, to mountain villages and remote rural areas. It's a shooting, killing, and looting scene. It is a difficult time to safely transport valuable medicines. But he ran with his medicines on his back. Later he was called 'The Running Angel'. I don't know how many times the two sides have crossed the battlefield. But he ran hundreds of miles in two months without a single finger injury.
As a devout believer, he said these feelings. “The Apostle Paul said that he only looked forward and ran (Philippians 3:13). I also looked to God and ran. Is there anything that shouldn't be done running towards the light?" From the beginning of the new year, I completely dedicate myself to God. And only look to God and live!
According to the Bible, the combined forces of Moab and Ammon are now preparing for a general attack at En-gedi. When they come like a tide, the fate of the Jewish nation is over.
In this desperate crisis situation, King Jehoshaphat said, “I look to you only” (2 Chronicles 20:12).
It means to believe only in God. It means that you depend only on God. There is no hope without God's help. It means that nothing can happen without God's blessing.
King Jehoshaphat was victorious in the war because he only looked to God.
We believe that as long as God protects our country, we can sing “Long live our country by God’s support until the East Sea and Mt. Baekdu dry up and wear out.”
The Bible says in Psalm 127:1, “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” I hope you believe it.
In Genesis 12:1, “The LORD said to Abraham, “Leave your country and your relatives and your father’s house, and go to a land that I will show you.”
God commanded Abraham to go. This verse is, “Only look to God and go”.
Abraham says, “I followed the word of the Lord” (Genesis 12:4).
If you follow reason, experience, philosophy, people, or the arguments around you, you cannot reach heaven. Today, there are not a few foolish church members around us who fall into the trap of the devil while pursuing empty miracles and healings. Abraham “went out, not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8), but he followed the word.
The Bible says in Isaiah 66:2, “I counsel him, whoever is poor in spirit and contrite in spirit and trembles at my words, says the LORD.”
The word “recommend” (眷顧) here means “to take care of”.
He promised to take care of those who tremble because of God's Word (the Bible).
The Bible (Proverbs 13:13) “He who despises the word will perish, and he who fears the commandments will find a reward” (John 14:15) “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (Judges 5: 31) “In the same way, O LORD, let all your enemies perish, and let those who love you be like the rising sun.”
The reason King Saul was destroyed was because he did not keep the word of God (1 Chronicles 10:13-14), and he did not listen to God's command (Isaiah 48:18). The prophet Jeremiah said that the reason God brought calamity upon the people of Israel was that they did not listen to God and forsook God's law (Jeremiah 6:19). Moses said (Numbers 32:15), “If you turn and depart from the Lord, the Lord will also abandon this people in the wilderness.”
The greatest misfortune is disobedience. Disobedience is the basis of all transgression and destruction.
Disobedience is rebellion against God's commands. It means to resist.
The disobedient Adam became the father of sin (Genesis 2:16-17, Genesis 3:1). Lot's son-in-law, who disobeyed the word of the Bible as a joke, went into the fire of sulfur (Genesis 19:14-) Lot's wife, who did not keep the Bible and disobeyed, became a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26-).
If you do not obey the word of the Bible, you will be cursed (disease, poverty, misfortune and failure, oppression of the Gentiles, tribulation, loss, chase, and death) (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). When I am undecided and disobedient, the curse will fall on my 3rd and 4th generations. When I obey the Bible with faith, my descendants can live in blessing for thousands of generations (Deuteronomy 5:29, 33, 1 Chronicles 16:15).
The Bible (Joshua 14:8-9) “My brothers who went up with me melted the people’s quarrels, but I followed the LORD my God completely. The land on which he treads shall be an inheritance to you and to your descendants forever.” (Deuteronomy 1:36) “But Caleb son of Jephunneh obeyed the Lord completely, and he will see it; I will give you,” he says.
So what does it mean to ‘follow God completely’?
It means that you did not look sideways and looked only at God. It means that he did not rely on or think of anything other than God alone.
That's right. Now that we believe in God, it is better to believe completely. It is better to believe without squinting. Amen.
God is not pleased when we step back (Hebrews 10:38) or look back and have regrets (Luke 9:62) while we are on our way to heaven. Therefore, we must keep moving forward according to the Word of God. Amen.
Abraham says, “He built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him” (Genesis 12:7).
The “altar” here is “mizupeka,” which means “place of death.” An altar is a place where animals are sacrificed.
Abraham built an altar in Shechem (Genesis 12:6,7), an altar on the east side of Bethel (Genesis 12:8), and an altar in Hebron (Genesis 13:18). Abraham's philosophy of life was to build an altar every time he moved to another land. This altar life was passed down from generation to generation through Abraham's son Isaac, grandson Jacob, and great-grandson Joseph. Abraham heard the voice of God through this altar (Genesis 15:13-15). An answer was received (Gen. 15:17). Through this altar, God's covenant was reaffirmed (Genesis 15:18-21).
The “altar” of the Old Testament era can be called the “church” of today, and the sacrifices offered on that altar are our prayers (Revelation 8:3-4), devotion (Romans 12:1), and our own body (Romans 12:1). Romans 12:1) and worship (John 4:23-24).
“Worship is the greatest duty and privilege of the saints,” said revivalist Reubentary.
Like Abraham, we follow the Bible together, build an altar, and live with blessings. - Shalom -.