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 believed the words of the Lord who called him, left his country and people to follow after God. The reason for this kind of implicit obedience on the part of Abram is described in the verse below.
Faith prompted Abram to obedience
In Hebrews 11:8 we read, “It was faith that made Abraham obey when God called him to go out to a country which God had promised to give him. He left his own country without knowing where he was going.”(GNB)
Abram heard God’s word, put his faith in God, and ventured out even though he did not know where he was headed to. When the creator of heaven and earth called Abram, he left with no questions, but with total confidence and trust in the God who called him. Abram had an immovable or unshakeable faith in God, and knew that the one who called him would lead him to a better place, and take him to a higher level.
Some of you may have had this experience when someone really close to us wanted us to accompany them to a certain place, and we went along even though we were not sure where they were going. We did so because we really trusted that person, and knew that we could be safe with them. The question we need to ask ourselves is, ‘Are we willing to take this journey of faith that God calls us to, like Abram did?’ Often we give numerous excuses pertaining to our personal lives, and are therefore hindered from taking this step of faith that Abram took willingly.
Abram motivated Lot
When Abram set out from Haran at the age of seventy five, took his wife and all that he had and set out by faith, Abram’s nephew Lot took note of this. This move instigated Lot to join his Uncle Abram, as this was a move of faith on an Almighty God. Haran must have been a big place, and Abram’s faith move must have caused a major flutter amongst the people there. There might have been varied responses and perspectives offered to Abram regards this move. Lot was really curious to know how Abram had the courage to trust God this way, and the outcome was that he too decided to venture out with Abram.
Even today when we want to take a step of faith and follow Jesus, we will encounter varied reactions by those around us. Nonetheless, when we continue to stand firm in our faith, this will surely be an inspiration to those Lots who are watching us. Our lives too must be such that those who associate with us or are just observing us, are challenged to put their faith in the God we believe in, and want to live just the way we do. Instead of blending in with the majority, we must choose to live in such a way, that others should desire to follow our example, and be motivated to live like we do.
Naomi’s life challenged Ruth
Naomi was an Israelite who had settled in the land of Moab. Naomi had two sons who were married to Ruth and Orpah, both of whom were Moabite women. Sadly, Naomi was widowed and she also lost her two sons. Naomi was hard pressed on every side, but her faith in God was immovable.
Generally, when people go through situations like Naomi did, they are disheartened, backslide from the faith, and even doubt the existence of God.
As Naomi lived in the land of Moab with her two daughters in law, these were her words of counsel to them.
We read in Ruth 1:8, “But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother's house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.” (ERV)
Naomi encouraged her daughters in law to go back to their own mother’s house, so that they could have a good future since their husbands had both died. In the midst of her calamities, Naomi realized that God was kind, and she assured her daughters in law that He would certainly show them the same kindness that God had lavished on her.
Our faith in God should be unshakeable like Naomi’s because we believe in a living God, who is true and faithful.
We read about the response of Naomi’s daughters in law in Ruth 1:14, “Again they started crying. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye and went back home, but Ruth held on to her.” (GNB)
Naomi’s two daughters in law began to cry when they heard that their mother in law wished to depart from them. While Naomi thought it best to return to her home town, she realized that her daughters in law were young, and so it would be better for them to get married and to settle down right where they were. Orpah accepted this advice and kissed her mother in law goodbye to return back to her home. However, Ruth wouldn’t let go of her mother in law.
The reason Ruth held on to Naomi
We read in Ruth 1:16-17, “But Ruth answered, "Don't ask me to leave you! Let me go with you. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die, and that is where I will be buried. May the LORD's worst punishment come upon me if I let anything but death separate me from you!"” (GNB)
Ruth was firm that she would accompany her mother in law Naomi, no matter what. Ruth had firmly decided that she would go with Naomi, live with her, make Naomi’s people her own people and would make Naomi’s God her own God. This response from Ruth astounds us, as she was a young widow, who was so devoted to her mother in law. Ruth somehow believed that Naomi’s God was the living God, and it must have been Naomi’s life that must have inspired Ruth to make such a decision.
They were faced with three deaths in the family, but it was clear that Naomi’s faith was unshaken. This was truly a major influence on Ruth who decided that she would go with Naomi, rather than stay back in her own home town.
These are the words of Ruth as found in Ruth 1:17, “Wherever you die, I will die, and that is where I will be buried. May the LORD's worst punishment come upon me if I let anything but death separate me from you!”(GNB)
Ruth was so committed to Naomi that she was willing to stand by her until the very end of her life. Ruth was firm that nothing, but death could separate her from her mother in law, and she was even willing to take the punishment of God on herself if she did not keep her word which she gave Naomi. As Ruth observed Naomi’s life she understood that the gods whom her people worshipped were not true, but that Naomi’s God was the true and living God. Ruth knew she could trust in this God, and that He would lead her just as He led Naomi. It was God who firmly established this relationship between Ruth and Naomi, for He was at the center of it.
Think about the risks that Ruth had to take. She was willing to go to a place that was not familiar, to live among a people of different culture who may or may not accept her because she was a Moabite. Ruth went trusting in God, just as Abram did when he left Haran to follow after God. God saw this faith of Ruth and honored her for this.
A person who commences on this journey of faith has numerous questions, and Ruth gives us answers to many of them. One has to face major changes especially in matters pertaining to culture and belief. It is good to ask ourselves if we have such a firm faith in the Lord as Abram and Ruth had. There are those who want to follow the Lord, who know He is the true God, but have numerous fears, doubts and questions. When faced with such challenges, one must decide to get to know God better, and this happens only by reading His word more and more. God’s word reveals to us who this God truly is.
Rahab’s faith in the Lord
As the people of Israel progressed towards the Promised Land, they were confronted with the mighty city of Jericho. The people of Jericho feared that the Israelites would certainly conquer them, but in that city there was one woman who believed God. Her name was Rahab. Rahab believed that there was no one like the God of Israel, and she placed her trust in Him. The Lord protected Rahab and her family who had their house on that same wall, though the entire city and its walls crumbled before her. God honored Rahab for her faith in Him.
The Lord promises that He will honor those who honor Him. We read in Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (ESV) It is only when we have faith that we can be those who please God.
We find that though Naomi had been through a hard path, her faith in God was a true motivation to Ruth, who also placed her faith in God. The honor that Ruth received was that the lineage of Jesus was traced through Ruth, though she was a Moabite woman.
Our lives too should be such that our faith in God should inspire others to want to follow the God we follow. Our God is a faithful God and He will never let His children be put to shame, but will honor those who trust in Him.
Jesus influenced Matthew
We read in Matthew 9:9, “Jesus left that place, and as he walked along, he saw a tax collector, named Matthew, sitting in his office. He said to him, "Follow me." Matthew got up and followed him.” (GNB)
As Jesus passed that way, he saw Matthew who was a tax collector sitting at his booth, when Jesus called him to follow after him. Matthew’s motive must have been to earn loads of money. He must have strived hard and worked towards achieving the position as a tax collector. Matthew must have wanted to earn as much as possible to get well settled in life.
The Romans were ruling over the Jews who were expected to pay the taxes to the Romans. In order to do so, the Romans appointed some Jewish people as officials, who would help them collect these taxes from their fellow Jews. Therefore, the other Jews disliked these tax collectors. However, these Jewish tax collectors were not perturbed as money making was their only goal.
Matthew was such a man who had really made it big, and had achieved this position as a tax collector. Most of these tax collectors were rich because they procured more than the stipulated amount of money for taxes, gave the necessary amount to the Romans and kept back some for themselves. The tax collectors were mostly a dishonest lot. However, when Matthew heard about Jesus, His life, teachings, the signs and wonders He performed, Matthew knew he was missing something. Matthew had everything from a worldly point of view, but there was something he lacked in his life. Matthew realized that though Jesus was the son of a carpenter, had no place to call his own, yet He had power to heal the sick and his preaching was incomparable to any of the teachers who lived in those days. Matthew perceived that Jesus had something and could give him something that Matthew did not have.
Jesus just beckons to Matthew to follow after Him and instantly, Matthew leaves everything behind, and follows after Jesus. What caused a man like Matthew, who had worked so hard to achieve this position and wealth in life, to leave it all right away and follow after Jesus? Matthew had come to the realization that no matter what one accomplished in this world or hoarded for themselves, nothing could satisfy man’s deepest longing.
Matthew followed Jesus, and became one the twelve disciples whom Jesus chose. Matthew became a great witness, wrote the book of Matthew, and was one who led thousands to the Lord Jesus.
There are many who are striving hard to make it really big in their lives. To many it is always a little more and a little more, but sadly most of these people keep running till the very end of their lives. As children of God we must realize that everything that pertains to this world, our wealth, possessions, positions which we might think are security for us, cannot give us security or satisfy any of our deepest desires. This discontentment will only grow, and these yearnings will drive a person to the grave with no satisfaction whatsoever.
Jesus says in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (ESV)
The peace you are seeking for, the victories that you are striving for, cannot be had by anything in this world. The Lord Jesus alone can give these to us.
We looked at Abram, Naomi and Matthew and understood that there was a major transformation that took place in all of them. We too need to have such a faith in the Lord. Instead of putting our trust in the temporal and material things of this world, may we learn to place our faith in the Almighty God. When we venture out on this faith journey the Lord will take care of everything, and lead us all the way. If we are fearful to commence on this journey with the Lord, may we ask God to remove our fears and replace them with faith. Without any hesitation, let us follow the Lord by faith, for He alone can give us peace and total satisfaction, for everything in this world is passing away.
Jesus has promised in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”(ESV)
Remember, Jesus had to go through the most gruesome and shameful death on a cruel cross. He was falsely accused, mocked at, bruised and underwent the most agonizing death. Even at that point Jesus pleaded with His Father for forgiveness for those who mistreated Him and had Him crucified. We can imagine the peace that filled the heart of Jesus even during those most excruciating and painful moments on the cross. Jesus can grant us His peace that surpasses all understanding.
Abram stepped out by faith and his nephew Lot was also encouraged to do so. Even in spite of all her sorrow and heartache, Naomi walked out of Moab by faith, and her faith motivated her daughter in law Ruth to go along with her and to seek after God. Though Matthew was a tax collector, the life of Jesus so captivated him that he heeded the call of Jesus, left everything behind to follow Jesus. May we too walk with such faith, so that our lives will be a motivation and inspiration for others around us to follow.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
