"That's one small step for a man; one giant leap for mankind". We easily identify these words with astronaut Neil Armstrong as he became the first human to step foot on the moon in July 1969. Another man also once took a step that would prove to be a giant leap for humanity. After an indeterminate journey, his first steps into a land of promise pioneered the way for the greatest hopes and dreams of humanity.
"So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, and the persons which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan; thus they came to the land of Canaan." (Genesis 12:4-5).
The great pioneering journey of a man named Abraham began with a great call: "I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed." (Genesis 12:2-3).
This one man's step of faith has become "a giant leap for mankind" - the amazing nation of Israel came forth from him, and the Savior of all - Jesus the Christ - is his descendant. But, these rich promises and blessings were all based on one important condition: action. "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you" (Genesis 12:1).
An ancient proverb states that "the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." The gracious promises of God would have been empty words had Abraham not taken the first of many steps in the direction of the unknown to lay hold of them. It was faith that moved him to take the first step, and ongoing faith that sustained him on a long journey.
Every day is "one small step" in our journey of faith. We each face many unknowns in the day that unfolds before us. But, unseen and unclear as it may seem, the destination of the kingdom of God is the ultimate goal to which God's people are being led. Making sure we do not lose sight of that goal, or the God Who is guiding us to it, is priority number one.
Wise is the person who learns this: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3.5-6) Inherent in that trust is taking action when divinely prompted.
What kingdom initiative is God placing on your heart and mind today? How is He directing you to His promised land? Be still in order to be clear, but be quick to respond when the prompting is sure. The legacy of Abraham is a willingness to walk by faith into the unknown, knowing with certainty that his Father had called him to that walk. Will you hear and heed His call today? My prayer for us is that we are truly willing to do both.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2013
"So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, and the persons which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan; thus they came to the land of Canaan." (Genesis 12:4-5).
The great pioneering journey of a man named Abraham began with a great call: "I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed." (Genesis 12:2-3).
This one man's step of faith has become "a giant leap for mankind" - the amazing nation of Israel came forth from him, and the Savior of all - Jesus the Christ - is his descendant. But, these rich promises and blessings were all based on one important condition: action. "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you" (Genesis 12:1).
An ancient proverb states that "the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." The gracious promises of God would have been empty words had Abraham not taken the first of many steps in the direction of the unknown to lay hold of them. It was faith that moved him to take the first step, and ongoing faith that sustained him on a long journey.
Every day is "one small step" in our journey of faith. We each face many unknowns in the day that unfolds before us. But, unseen and unclear as it may seem, the destination of the kingdom of God is the ultimate goal to which God's people are being led. Making sure we do not lose sight of that goal, or the God Who is guiding us to it, is priority number one.
Wise is the person who learns this: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3.5-6) Inherent in that trust is taking action when divinely prompted.
What kingdom initiative is God placing on your heart and mind today? How is He directing you to His promised land? Be still in order to be clear, but be quick to respond when the prompting is sure. The legacy of Abraham is a willingness to walk by faith into the unknown, knowing with certainty that his Father had called him to that walk. Will you hear and heed His call today? My prayer for us is that we are truly willing to do both.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2013
posted by steve @ 7:50 AM
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