Title Leading Abraham/Genesis 12:1-9
Content Guide Abraham / Genesis 12:1~9, Hebrews 11:8~10
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters.” There is nothing more sincere than David's confession of God's guidance to mankind. And the confession ends with "Goodness and mercy will surely follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." This kind of God's leading grace is truly lacking. And this confession of faith is a confession without exception for people of faith. Now, let's think about how God's guidance was shown in Abraham, the father of faith, by examining his life, focusing on the text.
1. He guides you through election.
Ur of the Chaldeans was the central city of Babylon at the time, and in modern terms, all amenities and ways of living were up-to-date, so it was a place that humans longed for. Many people lived by worshiping idols in various ways, and Abraham's father was such a person. However, Abraham and his family left Ur. This is God's choice. I don't know for some reason, I don't know where I'm going, but I'm guided by God's sovereign choice. And this choice is directly related to the calling. We are guided by election and calling to such an extent that it is difficult to distinguish our priorities from the guidance of God's election and calling. This is just the grace of God who already knows me and calls me by name. Because of this, there are conflicts, hardships, and trials, but nonetheless, we must accept this providence as God's guidance.
2. He leads you through the Word.
The Lord gives the Word to guide Abraham. Verse 1 says, “The Lord said to Abram.” This is what leads us to the words ‘said’. Then, what is the meaning of those “said” words? It means 'leave'. It means to leave the ‘mainland, relatives, and father’s house’. Abraham was told to leave everything he could rely on. It means leaving the good soil of life that you have been living well up to now. They do not know where they are going, but they tell them to go where they are instructed. It would be helpful to go away with something, but God does not tolerate it. This is a departure leaving the boat, nets, and even their father behind. It is a departure that should not be looked back.
These words are ‘words of promise’. The words of this promise are “I will bless you,” “I will make your name great,” and “I will become a source of blessing.” If we leave everything behind and empty ourselves, God fills us through the fulfillment of His promises. This is the guidance of God that is difficult for us to understand. God fills us with the promise of ‘You will be a source of blessing’ at the same time as the word ‘leave’ and leads us. In the latter days, the Lord promises descendants and land and guides them by giving them the word of promise even in hardships.
3. He guides us even in the midst of conflict.
Abraham received the promise, but that promise was not easily fulfilled. 25 years had passed before he was given this life, and in the end, the family had conflicts between Hagar and Sarah, and between Ishmael and Isaac. Still, in the midst of the conflict, God guides the family by solving the family problems. Also, in the relationships surrounding him, there was a conflict with Lot and Abimelech, but God leads Abraham to faith in the midst of it.
4. He guides us even in the flames of trials.
As we know all too well, we were in the midst of the fire of trial to offer Abraham's son Isaac, whom he had given for the first time in 25 years, and his only son, Isaac, whom he loved and cherished as a burnt offering. Even in the midst of this, God leads Abraham to have faith in ‘Jehovah Jireh’.
What is clear is that God guides us. He chooses, calls, and guides. You speak and guide. He guides us in the midst of conflict. He guides you through trials.
Then why did God lead Abraham in this way? What did you do well and what merit did you lead? It was not because Abraham had any merit or special qualifications. It was because he had a thorough ‘reverence and obedience’ for God’s leading. To put this paradoxically, if you have 'awe and obedience' in front of God, you will become a person of faith who accepts everything as God leads you.
It can be said that the way Abraham lived his life with ‘reverence and obedience’ was the form of worship. Wherever he went, he built altars to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. Even in the flames of trials and tribulations, they will confess ‘Jehovah Jireh’, who thank God for guidance and testify.
There are many difficulties, confusion and conflicts in our lives today. But God leads. The God of Abraham became my God and guides me. With this conviction, let's become God's people victorious in God's guidance.