When God chose Abram to move from his homeland to Canaan and said he would become the founder of a nation he must have been gob-smacked and in wonderment. I bet two questions were whizzing around his head such as, “Why me”; “How could I, a stranger to Canaan achieve this tall order?”
I would imagine Abraham’s heart was beating out of his chest. God actually made an agreement and promised things he, Abram, could never have dreamt of. His name was changed to Abraham. To top this God assured him he would become father not only to his own children - What? Imagine his surprise. He must have doubted his sanity. Abrahams probably wondered if it was a figment of his imagination - ‘What’s in it for God?’; ‘People don’t give you things for nothing!’ On reflection, however, maybe Abraham was calm and accepting of God’s words.
Abraham obviously trusted and had faith in God completely. Then again, what a good offer - surely too good to miss! Here was God guaranteeing all these wonderful things not only to Abraham but to his children and their children for eternity; all this and God’s promise to be with him and those of his line always. This brings to mind the enthusiastic way the disciples followed God’s call through Jesus with a passion. Their whole lives were shifted as they dropped everything and went about God’s work
Prayer
We praise and magnify your name, O God.
Thank you for showing that all things are possible; that if we believe in you we will have everlasting blessings.
Blessed be the name of the Lord. Amen.
Pauline Sergeant
Levenshulme Inspire, Manchester
