How the Holy Spirit Will Lead You as He Led Abraham
(Gen 15:1-20)
Illustration:
Into the shell of an oyster a tiny grain of sand finds
its way. "The intruder, though microscopic, is a source
of irritation and pain to the soft body of the oyster.
Unable to rid itself of the unwelcome pebble, the
oyster seeks to reduce the irritation by coating it
with layers of soft, iridescent mother-of-pearl
material from its own shell. Over time, the oyster
transforms a painful irritation into a beautiful pearl
of great value."
Most of us have "grains of sand" or annoying "pebbles"
that come into our life on a regular basis &133; many
of which can be very frustrating and even painful.
But every one of these annoyances gives us a chance to
grow. Some will require great patience, others tough
love. Some will require our turning the other cheek,
some confrontation, and some kindness and
understanding. For example, addicts need to be treated
with tough love. Bullies require us to maintain healthy
boundaries. Cheaters need to be confronted.
Manipulators need to be managed. Control freaks need
to be resisted, guilt throwers need to be challenged,
and toxic people may need to be avoided, and so on.
With God’s help, if we so choose, we can turn every
one of these annoying pebbles into pearls or we can
allow them to make us bitter. For it’s not what
happens to us that matters, but how we react to what
happens. What we do about it is what matters--and
that’s a choice we make either consciously or
unconsciously. And remember, "The bumps are what we
climb on."
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to see an
opportunity for growth in every annoying situation.
Give me the courage to be strong when needed, have
healthy boundaries where required, exercise tough love
where it is essential, and show kindness, patience and
understanding where these are needed. Help me to
always ask, ’What would Jesus do?’ And please give me
the courage to do just that. Thank you for hearing and
answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’ name, amen."
1. The Holy Spirit led Abraham to become the father of many nations because He did not weaken, waver or stagger in faith. All of this was based on the promises given to Abram in Genesis 12:1-15. Paul wrote, "No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God." (Romans 4:20,21 - Amplified) Ask the Lord to help you to never waver, doubt or stagger with unbelief. Trust God to help you to grow strong in faith as Abraham did so you can look forward to a great harvest of righteousness.
2. The Holy Spirit gave Abraham the courage, determination and wisdom to know how to withstand the doubts of wife Sarah. Moses wrote, "Abraham and Sarah were well advanced in years and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, ‘After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?’ Then the Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Gen. 18:11-14) Trust the Lord to help you to have the courage, determination and wisdom to know how to withstand the doubts of those who are closest to you.
3. The Holy Spirit gave Abraham full satisfaction despite all the daily uncertainties that he had to suffer with. Paul wrote, "Abraham was fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised." (Rom. 4:21) Ask the Lord to help you gain a greater fulfillment through your confidence in the word of God to accomplish ALL that is promised.
4. The Holy Spirit gave Abraham a legacy that everyone respects for all of eternity. Paul wrote, "He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit." (Gal. 3:14) Trust the Lord to help your faith allow you to leave a great legacy for God’s greater glory.
5. The Holy Spirit gave Abraham the ability to bless all nations because of His great faith. Paul wrote, "Consider Abraham, ‘He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness... The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’" (Gal. 3:6-8) Ask the Lord to help you to expand your faith so that you can influence the spreading the gospel of Christ’s forgiveness to all 228 nations on the earth.
6. The Holy Spirit gave Abraham the courage to be willing to sacrifice his only son Isaac. The Bible says, "By faith Abraham, when he was put to the test had already brought Isaac for an offering; he who had gladly received and welcomed God’s promises was ready to sacrifice his only son. (Gen. 22:1-10) For he reasoned that God was able to raise Isaac up even from among the dead." (Heb. 11:17-19) Ask the Lord to help you to be willing to sacrifice the most precious things on earth for the sake of God’s greater purposes.
7. The Holy Spirit gave Abraham’s son Isaac, the foresight to see into the future. The writer of Hebrews wrote, "With the eyes of faith Isaac, looking far into the future, invoked blessings upon Jacob and Esau. (Gen. 27:27-29) Ask the Lord to allow your faith to inspire your biological and spiritual children to be able to look into the future with the eyes of faith.
8. The Holy Spirit gave Abraham the energy, resources and blessings to go into a strange land. The Bible says, "Urged on by faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was about to go." (Heb. 11:8) Ask the Lord to help you go anywhere that God sends while being confident that He will supply you with everything you need.
9. The Holy Spirit gave Abraham the coping skills to dwell in a strange land, surrounded by enemies, to maintain the determination to settle a homeland for his people. The Bible says, "Prompted by faith Abraham dwelt as a temporary resident in the land which was designated in the promise of God, though he was like a stranger in a strange country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs with him of the same promise. (Heb. 11:9) Ask God to help you consistently remember to sing the song, "Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go. Anywhere He leads me in this world below. Anywhere without Him dearest joys would fade. Anywhere with Jesus is a house of praise. Anywhere, anywhere, fear I cannot know. Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go!"
10. The Holy Spirit gave Abraham great hope, buoyant expectations and an upbeat attitude about God’s will for His life, regardless of the outward circumstances. The Bible says, "Abraham was waiting expectantly and confidently as he looked forward to the city which was fixed and has a firm foundation, whose Architect and Builder is God." (Heb. 11:10 - Amplified) Ask the Lord to help you to emulate Abraham’s faith by keeping a hopeful, buoyant and upbeat attitude toward all of your circumstances.
