We read in Genesis 12:4, “When Abram was seventy-five years old, he started out from Haran, as the LORD had told him to do; and Lot went with him.” (GNB)
Abram was seventy five years old, when he ventured out on the journey that God asked him to undertake. Generally, people at that age will want to retire, but Abram commenced on this journey, because he was seeking after God. Abram wanted to perceive who this Almighty God was who had created this amazing world, and all that is in it. Also he probably wanted to know why God created him, and the purpose for his existence. It was also possible that Abram was not satisfied with the gods that the people in his country worshipped, and was looking for the true God.
Many people are so caught up in this pursuit for money, position, popularity and are therefore unable to seek after God. There is also much disparity in the way we treat those who are rich and those who are poor. People have so many unanswered questions, and all of these will find answers only when one seeks and finds the one true living God.
David encourages Solomon to seek after God
These are the words of King David to his son Solomon in 1 Chronicles 28:9 …for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you. (AFV)
David was a simple shepherd boy, when God chose him, anointed him, and made him King over Israel. King David was sharing his experiences with his son Solomon. He reminded Solomon that the Almighty God who searches the hearts of all men was fully aware of all their thoughts and imaginations. He admonished Solomon to seek after such a God.
To the one who seeks after God, they will find prosperity, blessings, raise, and every good thing.
How do we seek after God?
We read in Jeremiah 29:13, “You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.” (ERV)
We must seek God with our whole heart. If you are wondering what it means to seek God with all our heart, let me explain it with an example. Sometimes, we may misplace some things at home, and if we ask our children to search for it, you may have noticed that in a matter of few minutes they are very prompt to inform us that they were unable to find it. Nonetheless, when they misplace their toys or something important to them, they will search hard to make sure that they find it. The reason for this is that their heart is not set on the former request from the parent, and so they are doing an arbitrary search, with no true desire to find it. On the other hand, they searched hard to find the thing they lost because it was close to their heart. So also to seek God means to deliberately and intentionally inquire after Him with all our heart.
There are those who pursue after God, only when they are in a critical situation, and there is no other hope for them. Oftentimes, when the doctors give up hope, many people will turn to God in desperation as their last resort. When there is a need, people realize that there is only so much a man can do, and hence turn to God in those hopeless times.
Abram searched for God, when everything was going good for him, because he realized that there was a creator God who was sovereign and behind all that was seen. It was because of this searching that God met Abram and spoke to him, and called him out.
Faith alone pleases God
We read in Hebrews 11:6, “Without faith no one can please God. Whoever comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who sincerely try to find him.” (ERV)
As we look at the word ‘faith’ in the above mentioned verse, we realize that we all have faith. When we board a bus for instance, we have faith that the bus will take us to our desired destination. We will never board that bus if we did not have faith in it. So also, we put our faith in the driver of the bus. None of us will go to the driver and check if he has a valid license to drive the vehicle. Totally trusting the bus and the driver, we purchase our ticket and get into the bus.
So also, when we go to a medical doctor, we do not check his credentials, but rather go to him with our ailments and by faith also take the medication that is prescribed to us. Therefore, it is impossible for us as human beings to continue on this earth without exercising our faith in various things or people on a daily basis.
Strangely, many people find it hard to accept the fact that there is a creator God who is behind all of this created world. Though we cannot see God with our physical eyes, it is only by faith that one can believe that God is the one who has created everything, and that He is in control over all creation.
Hebrews 11:6, is emphatic that if one were to please God then faith is the absolute necessity. The one who comes to God by faith is required to do two things. Firstly, he must believe that God exists, which implies that God sees, hears and watches everything. If this thought were to capture one’s mind, their lives will automatically fall in line with the ways of God.
A good example is the CCTV (closed-circuit television) cameras have been installed in many shops. Sometimes when we enter a shop there will be a sign board that the shop is under surveillance of cameras. I wondered why this sign board was necessary, and these cameras could not be kept a secret until I realized that the very thought that one is being watched will prevent people from trying to shoplift. So also, if we live with the constant thought that God is observant of us, we too will walk uprightly, and will seek to please Him in every way.
Secondly, faith also enables us to understand that God rewards those who diligently seek after Him. We might have seen notices that declare that there will be a reward given if we help them find someone who is missing. Similarly, seeking God is not a futile effort, but one that will give us a sure reward.
Abram sought God and received his reward
We read in Genesis 12:1-3, And the LORD said to Abram, "Get out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father's house into a land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation. And I will bless you and make your name great. And you shall be a blessing. And I will bless those that bless you and curse the one who curses you. And in you shall all families of the earth be blessed."(AFV)
God speaks to Abram in these verses mentioned above. It is indeed a blessed experience for one to hear the Lord speak to us. If we open God’s word and wait on the Lord to speak to us, we will definitely hear God speak to us, for He is a true and a living God. He knows all of the complex circumstances that we are entangled in.
God instructed Abram to leave his country, his kindred and all of his family to go to the place that God would show him. For sure God wanted to bless Abram, but only if Abram was willing to walk out in obedience to God’s word. The blessings that God promised Abram was that He would make him into a great nation, that he would be blessed, his name would be made great and that he would be a blessing to others. There was more in store for Abram, when God assured him that those who bless him would be blessed, and those who curse him would be cursed. God would bless and strengthen Abram so much that all the families of the earth would be blessed through him. Though Abram was seventy five years old, he trusted God fully, and walked out of his country leaving everything behind by faith, believing that God would fulfill all that He had promised him.
There are those who want the blessings of God, but are unwilling to obey God on their part. When ordinary men seek after God, He blesses them to become extraordinary men simply because they are seeking Him as Abram did.
What does faith do?
Faith does something dramatic to our lives, for it changes our perspective on what or who we should trust. To different people different things are their strength, to some it is their families, to others it is their job, money, community or the positions they hold. The fact is that none of these things will save us, and there are thousands around us who are examples to prove this point. They had everything, but nothing could save them.
When Abram walked out by faith, he did not consider anything he had left behind as important. He had to forsake his relations, his wealth, security and ventured on an unknown journey. Remember Abram sought after God at the age of seventy five, reminding us that there is no age limit to seeking after God.
Many young people will say spirituality is for the elderly, and that they have long years ahead of them to think about it, and will thereby procrastinate seeking after God. It is beneficial to seek the Lord while we are young, to know who God is, and also to understand the purpose for which we have been created. It is only when we comprehend this, can we accomplish God’s plans for our lives.
The journey that Abram undertook was not one seeking after God, but rather one which he commenced on after He knew who God was. There is a big difference between these two. There are those who even today take on pilgrimages to various places hoping to find God, and to have their problems sorted out. Think about it, if anyone was to undertake a journey today, they need money to do so. People may suggest that one goes to various places to find solace from their hardships and difficulties. Let us imagine that one person has the means and finances to undertake such a journey, and another who is poor cannot afford to do so. Does it mean that God will help and bless the rich man, and forsake the one who is down and out? One has to sincerely give thought to such suggestions before you engage in such pilgrimages. There are others who may argue that if they don’t have the money to travel, they will attempt the journey by walking. For this to happen they need to have good health. This would then mean that the one who is healthy can achieve this goal, and one who is weak or sickly cannot do so. All of this is totally contradictory to who God is, and there is no possible justification for this.
The God who created this world is everywhere, and there is no place that is hidden from His view. We can seek the Lord right where we are, and He will surely reveal Himself to us. You can tell God that you truly desire to know Him, and understand His purposes for your life. Seek God and tell Him that you will obey Him, and the Lord will certainly speak to you.
Let me remind you from Hebrews 11:6, “Without faith no one can please God. Whoever comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who sincerely try to find him.” (ERV)
This means that to please God we just need faith only to believe that He exists, and is observing us all the time. Our offerings, penance or pilgrimages do not please God in any way. For many the thought that God is watching is a worrisome thought, as this would hinder them from living any way they like. They have therefore, decided to confine God to a place, so they can visit Him when it pleases them, on their own terms.
In the Garden of Eden, the wonderful relationship man had with God was broken and man was cast out of the presence of God. God in His love sent Jesus who came seeking after us. Jesus came to make a way for us to be reconciled back to God. When we accept this salvation that Jesus offers, we will be set free. Inside of each one of us there is a seeking after God, but many are unable to recognize this, and many have no clue as to how they can find God right where they are.
That is why God had to call Abram at the age of seventy five to take along his wife and undertake this journey of faith. Abram had to let go of all that he held dear, his country, kindred and family to receive the reward from the Lord.
Let us analyze our lives to see where we stand. Abram sought God, and when he met God he made all the necessary changes in his life. Abram decided to obey God, and let go of everything.
What have we let go of in order to seek after God?
Things Saul gave up
In the bible we read about Saul, was an ardent Jew, a Pharisee who was extremely zealous for the Laws of God and the Jewish customs. He held on to firmly to his belief and upbringing as a Jew, and he did not accept Jesus as the Messiah. Saul was angered if anyone spoke about Jesus, and refused to accept the teachings of Jesus, because he thought they were contrary to the Jewish law and customs. Saul went all out to persecute those who followed Christ.
As Saul set out on this mission to capture and persecute the followers of Jesus, the risen Lord met him on the way to Damascus. The Lord Jesus who knows the thoughts and motives of man confronted Saul midway. A bright light shone on him and he fell down in fear and dread. Saul asked this question, ‘Who are you Lord?’ and the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting’. Saul thought he was persecuting those who believed in Jesus, but the Lord Jesus considered this as directed towards Him.
This encounter brought about a great transformation in the life of Saul. From that day on Saul understood who Jesus truly was. He realized that Jesus came to show the way to God, and did not come to abolish the law as Saul misunderstood. Saul believed in Jesus, received Him and the transformation in Saul was astounding to all. Not only did his name change to Paul, the very Jesus whom he was up against and hated, he became a faithful apostle of. He understood the love of God, and was willing to lay down his life for the sake of Jesus.
Even today only the Lord Jesus can bring about complete change in our lives. We must ask Him to do this for us. Jesus came down to the earth, lived a sinless life, and was handed over to be crucified on a cruel cross because of those who envied Him. In those days the cross was a symbol of disgrace and shame. The day Jesus was crucified the cross became a symbol of redemption for all mankind. Anyone who comes to Jesus and believes on Him the Lord can transform our lives just as He did to Saul. This is a change that happens in our heart irrespective of what our circumstances are.
Abram believed and God blessed Him to make his name great. Abraham became a blessing to many. If we believe God will bring changes in every realm of our lives. God can answer all your questions no matter what they are. May we seek the Lord and allow Him to bring the transformation in our lives that will in turn make us a blessing to many.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
