Genesis 12: You Need Two Things for the Faith Journey

Welcome to chapter by chapter four year journey through the greatest book given to the human race, the Word of God, the Bible, and we get to go through it chapter by chapter. Seven minutes a day and seven days a week join us each day and share it with others so they can join this journey that will be life changing. We'll stop at unexpected places on the journey and be challenged. Some verses will create awe and wonder and will have chapters that will even be instructive and some that will find joy and comfort. We will occasionally be convicted and want to change, but all in all the journey will be worth it. And once in a while we may take a detour on the journey and hear from some of God's servants on their favorite passages from a chapter of scripture and let them give you their insight. Every journey needs a small detour occasionally. The best way to get the most from this podcast is read the chapter we're discussing before or after. It's his word that transforms. You'll find more and see more than I can ever articulate. Welcome to chapter by chapter and today's chapter is Genesis 12. Abram hears the voice of God for the first time in his life. He's living in Iran. He's finally navigated life changes in a new country. He's finally gotten over the grief of the loss of his fathers. He accepted the fact that he must raise his brother's child and this is going to be his new normal. And then it happens. God unexpectedly speaks to a man who is not even at this time a God believer. I'm not sure if you realize this, but Abram is not a God-fearing man. When Joshua is giving his farewell speech before he dies, he recounts the calling of Abraham. Listen to these words from Joshua 24/2. Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, from ancient times your fathers live beyond the river, namely Tara, the Father of Abraham, and the Father of Mavore, and they served other gods. They served other gods." It is from this group that God singled out Abraham as the Father of Faith, Abraham, who would be the Father of the Jewish people. And as soon as he set into normal, God said it's all about to change. All of it, even your idolatry, you're going to know that I am God alone. I remember hearing the great Baptist preacher, Dr. Adrian Rogers, preacher Sermon, and he said this to some young pastors and leaders. If you're called to go to a church, there are two things you need to be prepared. First, be prepared to spend the rest of your life there. Second, be prepared to leave in the next 15 minutes. That's great advice. That's what Abram needed to know. That is how Abraham needed to live. The Bible says God disrupted any and all plans when we read these verses in Genesis 12, 1 and 2. Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, from your relatives, from your father's house, to the land which I will show you. I will make you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. And so shall you be a blessing." There was going to have to be a lifestyle that would go along with this new challenge. Adrian Rogers' words were played out in Abram's life with two things you're going to see throughout his faith journey. These two things are a great reminder to us on how to live the faith journey now. Abram, we see from the Scriptures, starts with a tent and an altar. Listen to it in verse 8. He proceeded from there to the mountain east of Bethel. Pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and AI on the east and there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord. The tent and the altar must always be primary in the walk of faith. The tent says that I am mobile for God. I'm ready at any moment he calls me. The altar is the place of worship. It says, God always accepts the living sacrifice and I am to be that living sacrifice. The tent means this world is not my home. The altar says I belong to him and it's about his agenda. Age doesn't determine whether I am able to do what God wants me to do. It's the tent and the altar. Those two things must be part of the journey all the way to the end. If it is, then you are never too old to be called and used by God. Right after we read these amazing words and the mission that God gives to Abram, we are told how old the person was. He set it to in verse 4. Listen to it. So Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him and a lot went with him. Abram was 75 years old when he departed from Iran. God was giving a new assignment to a 75-year-old man. It was God's assignment for a man that was looking to retire. Moses was 80 when he received the law. Aaron was 83 when he began to perform miracles in Egypt. Joshua was 85 when he led Israel into the Promised Land. We're told Zachariah and Elizabeth were advanced in years when they gave birth to John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus, advanced in years just to help you. That means old. Someone in their 70s is called a septuagenarian. God loves to use septuagenarians. Gold in my year was 71 when she became the prime minister of Israel. Benjamin Franklin signed the Declaration of Independence at age 70. Nelson Mandela became the president of South Africa at age 75. Barbara Hillary at 75 became one of the oldest people in the first black woman to reach the North Pole. Peter Rosé completes Rosé's The Storis at age 73. Before you start collecting Social Security and using that AARP card for your discount, it's probably a better thing to see if God has another assignment. Thomas Adams, the youngest son of President John Adams, said it best. He said these words, "Even the tired horse, when he comes near home, men's his pace, be good always without weariness, but be best at last. Men's your pace, be good always and be best at last." That is how God called an idle worshipping septuagenarian to do something extraordinary. I do believe the words of Jesus at the wedding in Cana still holds true for age and not just wine. He saves the best for last. David said it like this in Psalm 92. They will still bear fruit in the old age. They will stay fresh and green. And those in old age will say these words, "The Lord is upright. He is my rock. There's no wickedness in him." The great 19th century Christian leader, F.B. Meyer, once confided to his friend, F.A. Robinson of Toronto. He said, "I do hope my father will let the river of my life glow flowing fully until the finish. I don't want it to end in the swamp. Abraham was in that river. I want to finish in that river. I pray you finish in that river. Live with a tent, live with an altar, and you'll get a river thrown in." Thank you for joining chapter by chapter. Every chapter from the greatest book, The Bible, the Word of God. Seven minutes a day, seven days a week. We'll see you tomorrow.