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
Where Are You?
Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9 nkjv
A new year has dawned, and we are closer to the return of Jesus than ever before. In fact, every day we are closer and closer to that great and awesome day of the Lord (Joel 2:31). There are so many unexpected things that await us new job opportunities, ministry opportunities, victories, defeats, births, and even deaths; perhaps our own. There will come a day when Christ will return for His church, but your day may come sooner than His. These are things we have no control over: birth and death.
As I ponder these things, I read God’s call to Adam and Eve, “Where are you?” and it caused me to consider, Where am I with the Lord? Am I ready to meet the Lord? Am I ready for my own death? Adam and his wife had sinned. They broke God’s one command, and instead of running to Him, they hid. They were afraid, they were ashamed, and they attempted to cover up what they had done. These efforts were futile. God found them out and gave them the terrible news of the consequence of their sin: death. Death entered the world through one man, Adam. But the Word of God tells us of a greater work through one man sin entered, but through another came life! The work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary ushered in life to all who would come to God through faith in Jesus Christ the Son. God covered Adam and Eve with tunics made of animal skin. When we come to God through Jesus Christ, God does the same thing, covers us, but in the blood of His Son.
Yet, I find that people are still hiding. They don’t want to be found out. They fear that if they come to God with their sin, like Adam, they will be dealt a heavy blow. What they forget is that God covered them. Though death entered the world and they would eventually die, it would not be for hundreds of years. Even in judgment, God extended mercy. God still calls out to us to come. Because of Christ, He took the heavy blow for us all. Judgment was placed upon Him, and forgiveness and covering were extended to us. All we have to do is come confessing, and we are met with mercy and grace. There is no need to hide your sin; God already sees it. God knew what happened in that garden. He knew where Adam and Eve were, yet He still called out to them, “Where are you?” God was giving them an opportunity to come out from hiding and confess their transgression.
He calls out to you today asking the same question: “Where are you?” Where are you with God this new year? Are you in His presence, in fellowship with Him because you have confessed your sin, or are you still hiding? You do not know what awaits you this new year. There are things you cannot control, like His return or your death. Are you ready for those things? If not, good news is that all we have to do is confess your sins and be covered in grace. That is something you have control over. So don’t hide from Him. He knows what you have done already. So come.
Agape,
Frank