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From small every one of us have heard of the name "Abraham" - nursery rhymes introduces him as "Father Abraham." This man once childless, became a father to the multitude. He was blessed abundantly by the Lord of Heaven and Earth and through him his descendants were also blessed abundantly. Even now, we, the spiritual children of Abraham through the finished work of Jesus on the Calvary, are able to inherit the blessings of our Father Abraham
And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Abraham was called the "friend of God" and the "Father of Faith". Best part is that, Abraham's life was pleasing to God. Let us examine the life of Abraham under the light of the scriptures, based on Genesis chapter 13.
1. Abraham chose that was shown to Him By God - Chose God's Choice as His - Accepted the Perfect Will of God
Abraham did not act or decide as his flesh commanded as opposed to Lot, his nephew. Though Lot has chosen what seemed good to his eyes and parted from Abraham (who was then Abram), Abraham neither chose anything for himself nor followed the worldly wisdom of Lot. It looked like he waited for God's word and did not even lift up his eyes and desire the land.
Genesis 13:10, 11, 12
Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east.
The two men parted company: V-12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom.
When Lot (in other words "flesh") left Abraham, God said to Abraham "Lift up your eyes."
Genesis 13: 14 The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, "Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted.17 Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you."
2. Abraham Was A Peacemaker (avoided contention and strife):
He led a peaceful life. He was a peacemaker. (Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God).
V 8. So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left.
3. Abraham had Great Faith:
Abraham had 100% confidence in God's Word. In other words, he RESPECTED God's word more than his situations and circumstances. When God spoke that Abraham's offspring shall be like the dust that no one could count, he was still CHILDLESS. Yet he believed God's word 100% and built an altar and worshipped the Lord.
"V - 18 So Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD."
4. Abraham Was a Worshiper of God:
Abraham was a nomad and lived in tents and did not have a stable place of stay. He was still not settled in life yet wherever he went he worshipped God. Please see the below verses.
V- 3 From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier V- 4 and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the LORD
V- 18 So Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD.
Abraham built altars wherever he went. This not only points out his life of worship, also teaches how cautious he was in his walk with God. Every altar reminded him and his household of the leading of God Almighty. They reminded him each of his encounter with God. They are like signposts of life that will remind him of God's leading and his encounter with God and be grateful to Him for His leading, grace, and mercies in his life.
Seeking God's will, loving peace, confidence in God's Word, worshiping God at all times, and being cautious to walk before the Lord in humility and in gratitude, such a life will be pleasing to God. May the Lord give us grace to live lives pleasing to God.
May God Bless You More and More Abundantly!!
Please share your thoughts on pleasing the Lord!!
- by Shanta S. Daniel
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