Show the video “Distraction”
Have you ever experienced a time in your life when you have followed God’s instruction only to have a situation arise that makes you question whether God spoke to you or you were following some elusive dream? I know I have. I have followed what I believed was God’s instructions and felt a peace about my journey. Then suddenly a challenge arises and I am questioning God as to why He allowed this circumstance to present itself.
Case in point. My desire to be in full time ministry began with prophetic words being spoken over me by those whom I trusted that they were hearing from the Holy Spirit. I burned inside to see this prophecy come about. But as I shared last week, I saw much more disaster than I saw results. I began to question those who prophesized. I began to question God. My life became filled with doubt much like Abram’s.
Abram was told to leave his native land and go to the land that God would show him. In obedience he did so taking his wife, Sarai, his nephew, Lot, whom he had adopted after Lot’s father died, and all his livestock and trained servants, which numbered over 300. God promised him a land mass that was about the size of New Jersey. There Abram traveled around and built two altars to worship God. Life was grand. His relationship with God was intimate. God had proven himself faithful.
Then the famine hit. Suddenly it was difficult to find grazing areas for his cattle. Suddenly he was faced with the challenge of caring for 300 + people. I wonder if he began to question God. Did he return to the altars he had built and seek the Lord? There is no indication that he did. In fact, he looked to Egypt.
“At that time a severe famine struck the land of Canaan, forcing Abram to go down to Egypt, where he lived as a foreigner.” (Genesis 12:10)
Lesson 1: What is the world forcing you to do?
Egypt is the ideal place. The Nile River courses throughout the land. This reliable source of water results in plentiful harvest and healthy livestock. Abram has undoubtedly heard of this wonderful place and he leaves behind his altars and his promise and turns to Egypt for the solution to his problem. The Bible says he was forced to go to Egypt but the word indicates that he felt there was no other choice.
As I stated last week we are on a journey as a church. For two and a half years, we have not faced a famine. When I became pastor, the church had a little over $3000 in the account. Today we have over $9000. God has provided for us beyond what I could envision.
However now in my personal life I face the challenge of looking to God to provide for me financially due to my retirement from my secular job. God called me to leave my native country of the “Bread Business” to go into this land of being able to pastor you full time. In doing so, my annual income will drop from $50,000 to $15,000. I want you to know I will be asking for some financial assistance from this body. However, I also want you to know that I do not expect this body to be able to cover the $35,000 difference. This body cannot afford to do so. Moreover, I will never allow anything to drain the finances of this body.
Nevertheless, if a famine comes I must look to the one who called me to this place and not to Egypt, not to the world. The world can look enticing with its easy credit and schemes. Too often, we find ourselves in a bind and stop seeking God but rather seek a financial institute. We feel we have more to gain by making payments to man than giving to God. I will not say that I will never join the work force again. I would do that above causing financial stress to this body. Above all else, I trust in God’s proven ability to provide.
Lesson 2: In Egypt you are a foreigner
It is extremely difficult to live in a foreign land. The closest I have ever come to doing so was in the Navy. Through some circumstances that I will not divulge I once found myself far from the naval base in Subic Bay, Philippines. I could not understand those around me. Briefly I could not find anyone who could understand me. I desired safety but found a sense of doom. I was frightened.
The Bible says we are no longer foreigners to God but citizens and members of God’s family. (Eph 2:19) Peter warns us as foreigners in this world to keep away from worldly desires. (1 Peter 2:11) When we enter Egypt we may be giving up the right to be called citizens of God’s family. When we participate in worldly desires we become citizens of Egypt.
Lesson 3: In Egypt you will have new problems
“As he was approaching the border of Egypt, Abram said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, you are a very beautiful woman. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill him; then we can have her!’ So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.” (Gen 12:11-13)
In Canaan Abram had one problem, a famine. However, Egypt opened up doors that should have stayed closed.
In Egypt his life was in danger. In Canaan he had God’s protection.
In Egypt what “they” will say mattered. In Canaan what God said was all that mattered.
In Egypt he had to scheme. In Canaan he simply had to trust.
In Egypt there were no altars to God only a pharaoh that considered himself God. In Canaan there were altars for worship, praise, and petition.
In Egypt his only valuable sacrifice was his wife. In Canaan God required only an animal sacrifice.
In Egypt he lived in fear. In Canaan he lived in confidence.
In Egypt he exchanged the promises of God for material items (Gen 12:16). In Canaan he possessed everything.
Lesson 4: In Egypt you disarm God’s promise.
“But the Lord sent terrible plagues upon Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.” (Gen 12:17)
God had promised Abram that he would be a “blessing to others”. (Gen 12:2) However as we can see here, Abram brought curses upon the pharaoh’s household. And as we shall discover later Abram brought destruction to his nephew’s family, problems in his own household, and wars among other nations.
When Abram entered Egypt he came with an abundance of cattle and servants. He left Egypt with many more. It was akin to winning the lottery. My first impression was that God had blessed him in spite of his disobedience. But this ill-gotten gain would lead to nothing but difficulty for him.
His second test was to trust God in time of desperation. He failed this test. Would you have passed?
Your challenge
When the famine hits remember; “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
When the famine comes it could be a test of your faith. So instead of being fearful, rejoice. For as your faith is tested, your ability to endure crisis in your life will grow. It’s like exercising. The more you do so the more muscle mass you build. Eventually you are chiseled with huge pecks, a six-pack gut, and 26” pythons. You will become a perfect specimen of physical health. James says take your troubles head on. Do not run from them. Face as a person of faith. Look forward to the day when your faith will be perfect and complete, needing nothing from the world.
As your faith grows so will your trust in God. You will believe God when He says “I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me? (Jer 32:27)
No famine, no problem is so great that God cannot overcome it.
You will find comfort as God tells you “For I hold you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God. And I say to you ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)
And if you need proof as to his faithfulness I challenge you to search the scriptures and find one example of his failing to be true to his Word. Listen to Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?”
When He says “Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” you can believe it.
Don’t run from your famine but stand steadfast. Like Micah say “As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.” (Micah 7:7) Instead of asking “How can I get out of this?” ask “What can I get out of this?”
Famines build faith if we have a relationship with the one in control of the famines. Without that relationship the ground is dry and hard. But when we turn our circumstances over to Jesus we can stand on this promise; “Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the Lord will display his glory,
the splendor of our God. With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees.
Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear,
for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.” (Isaiah 35:1-4)
Those days are now.
