A Partial Obedience
“After Lot had separated from him, the LORD said to Abram…” Genesis 13:14 csb
We all know the feeling of waiting for a call, an email, or a text waiting for details or information before we can move on. As an ADHDer, this is like torture. Having to wait is brutal! I’ve seen some funny social media reels or TikToks of people reenacting what it’s like to get a text that says, “We need to talk later!” That’s the worst thing for someone like me (and perhaps you) to hear. I don’t like waiting for information, and most people don’t, especially in the information age we find ourselves in.
When we look at Abram’s life, God called Abram out of his father’s country to leave everything behind (minus his wife, because they are one). Abram partially obeyed. A partial obedience is complete disobedience, it will always cause delays in our lives. When Abram finally arrived in Canaan (after his detour through Egypt, which is a bible study in it self), he came out with excess baggage: his nephew Lot, along with Lot’s herdsmen. This caused issues for him. Infighting began between Lot’s herdsmen and Abram’s.
There was so much conflict that they had to separate from one another, Lot to the plains of Sodom, and Abram remaining in Canaan. After Lot left, we see something interesting take place in verse 14, which we read above: “The LORD said to Abram…” God had not spoken to Abram since He first arrived in Canaan. Because Abram only partially obeyed, and then took it upon himself to go into Egypt. This caused delayed instruction and revelation from God. The same happens to us. Disobedience delays, and even prevents us from hearing the Lord speak.
As a pastor, I often hear people say, “I’m not hearing from God,” or “I don’t feel the presence of the Lord anymore.” Perhaps that’s you today. When I hear those words, I often ask this question: What are you not obeying the Lord in? What has He called you to do that you are not fully obeying? Perhaps He has asked you to take a step of faith like Abram, maybe to leave a job, homeschool your kids, or ask a question to someone you’ve been praying for. Only you know what that is. And it’s up to you how long you want delayed presence, instruction, and revelation from the Lord.
Does this mean all delays are because of disobedience? No, that would be bad theology. Some times delays take place because God is not ready to open that door, or we aren’t ready and mature enough. But thats not what we are talking about here. We are talking about has God said to you and have you not fully obeyed. That is something to ask yourself today if you find your self in a place of not hearing, not hearing the Lord speak. Ultimately, when Abram fully trusted and obeyed, blessing came because the Lord spoke. Always remember: blessing is ushered in through our obedience.
Agape,
Frank
