23/07/2013 - IF ABRAHAM HAD DRAWN BACK

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Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him.

Hebrews 10:38

Abraham sought the Lord when his generation performed the lowest spiritual practices. Then he heard God’s voice telling him to leave his land, the house of his father, to go to a place God would show him (Genesis 12:1). Even without knowing where to go, he obeyed the Lord’s ordinance, facing a tough journey with many challenges; however, he did not flinch, but rather said “yes” to the Most High.

The drought brought famine to the land where he was, so Abraham went to Egypt where his wife, Sara, was taken to be the wife of Pharaoh (verses 14 and 15). However, Abraham prayed and God spared him of such disgrace and dishonor. If he had taken a different course of action, he would not have pleased the Almighty. The Almighty then rebuked Pharaoh, who returned Abraham’s wife safe and sound (verses 18-20).

Abraham took his nephew Lot with him, which caused him problems because his shepherds did not get along with Abraham’s. He could have told Lot to go away, because it was he who had received the divine mission. However, he allowed his nephew to choose where he would go and Lot chose the good land for himself. The patriarch, however, had no choice but to go to the mountains (13:6-12). When his nephew was taken captive, God inspired Abraham to rescue him (Genesis. 14). Because he obeyed the Lord, God told him that his reward would be exceedingly great (15:1-6).

The Most High set the time for Sarah to have a son (v. 4). How? She was 89 years old, and Abraham was 90. He, in hope believed (Romans 4:18a) and did not mind his body being old, nor Sara’s advanced years. He did not let his faith weaken; rather, he was sure God would honor His word. If he had not given credit to the Lord, what would have become of us today?

The king of Gerar also wanted Abraham’s wife (Genesis 20:1-7), and because of that the patriarch could have given up following the Most High, but his faith made him ignore the problems of everyday life. He was old enough to know that the enemy tries to take the reward so that the servant is not faithful to the Lord. If Abraham had backed down, the damage would not have been his alone, but ours also.

Abraham obeyed God and remained steadfast in his faith – even when there was no animal for sacrifice – thus providing his son Isaac to the ritual (Genesis 22:1-18). The patriarch conquered promises and battles and today he is called the father of the faithful.

Likewise, be strong, do not give up! Whatever you do with your faith in God will be crucial for you, to those who are yours and for many other people. The Lord has chosen you to be faithful, to conquer and to carry out His plan in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. Your reward is prepared, and the Lord will not fail. One day, Jesus will say: Come, you blessed of My Father (Matthew 25:34b).

In Christ with Love,

R. R. Soares