23/01/2018 - CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD TO GIVE THANKS

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Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God. Genesis 21:33

After the tribulations he encountered, Abraham saw the end of a great evil that had risen in the land of the philistines, such as the fact that Abimelech’s shepherds having taken the well that he and his shepherds had dug and built. Everything seemed to show that the father of faith would have to use physical force to have his rights prevail, because although it was their territory, their king himself had authorized them to remain there. Surprisingly, that king sought him and asked for a treaty.

In everything that happened and was not good to him, Abraham saw the hand of God over his life.  Pharaoh had already taken Sarah to the palace, when the Lord intervened and afflicted the house of the king with plagues.  The Pharaoh then delivered Sarah to Abraham and gave him many presents.  So he left and arrived at Bethel.  After the destruction of Sodom, what happen between Lot and his daughters, Abraham went to the south.

In the land of the philistines, Abraham almost lost Sarah to Abimelech. However, the Lord came to this king in his dreams, saying he would be a dead man if he did not return Sarah to her husband.  Even in the face of adversity, the patriarch prayed for the house of Abimelech, because all the women were barren (Genesis 20:17,18) and the Almighty healed them.  Even though he saw the Lord intervening in his life and that of his family, God’s friend went through moments of anxiety, with trials and assaults.

Receiving Abimelech who in plain words was seeking help, Abraham confirmed that he continued to trust in the One who had called him to leave his land and the house of his father and go to a land that would be shown to him.  This servant was seeking the city whose founder and builder was none other than God himself, but he never found it.  Soon after solving his difference with the philistine, he planted a grove in Beersheba – a well of testimony, and there he invoked the Name of the Lord.

No matter what may have happened to you continue to believe in and to serve the Omnipotent.  Good and bad situations have their lessons for us to be able to lay hold and claim the blessings that the Father has prepared for us.  Some will not happen in our days; but it is important not to disappoint our Creator, for He has always planned the best for us. 

God allows us to go through great struggles and this is a priceless favor to us.  Even if you are betrayed by your friends, and are neglected by those who should be at your side and stolen by people you only do good to, don’t give up walking your walk, for behind all situations and circumstances, there is divine wisdom.  How sad to see a brother act like Judas. Jesus however, knows all too well and more than we know, because He went through this himself. 

Plant your grove and call on the Name of the Lord.  Surely you will have to return several times to this place to renew your strength. Take care of this place, planting good trees so you can find refuge in them when the need arises, to be with the Lord.  The eternal God is the one that called you; so never abandon your journey!

In Christ, with Love, 

R. R. Soares