Taking Matters Into Our Own Hands

Now there was a famine in the land; and Abram went down into Egypt to live temporarily, for the famine in the land was oppressive (intense and grievous). Genesis 12:10 (Amplified Bible)

What happens when we face shortages in our life? How do we go about getting our needs met and hearts satisfied? Each of us travels this life once and find within our journey our own times of famine. It may be a shortage of material things, friendships, health, opportunities, spiritual growth, or any number of things. It is in times of deprivation that we come to realize our true source and on whom we are depending.

I find it interesting that Genesis 12 shows Abram in obedience and worship until the famine hits. He obediently follows God’s command to leave his home and make his way to a land of promise. On at least two occasions he builds altars to the God who appeared to Him and he calls upon Him. The very things he did at the onset of his journey should have been his practice when the shortage hit. But instead, Abram came up with his own plan. He went his own direction. Egypt became his destination and lying became his form of protection. What I find missing in all of this was asking God what he should do and relying on God to be His shield of safety. After all, since God was the One who told him to go on this journey, wouldn’t God be the One to direct his steps along the way?

How easy it is to dissect our life into parts that include God and parts that exclude God. But that is not the way God desires for us to live. He wants us to learn from the mistakes of our Bible ancestors. Seeing where they went wrong should serve as a teacher to each of us. As we read an account in Scripture we should take note of when a person is acting out of pride, independence, anger, fear, or defiance and watch for the painful consequences to follow. How did their actions affect the people around them, what discomforts did they bring upon themselves, and what ultimate price did they end up paying?

Those are the things I want to avoid. And the only way to do that is by running my decisions, agendas, and ideas past our all wise and all knowing God. He has direction for me on this journey. He has not left me to fend for myself or take matters into my own hands.

Father, may I learn to turn to You more and more. You are all knowing and all wise…I am not. Be my instructor and guide for life. Amen.

You Are God Alone - Phillips, Craig, & Dean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xPzTSpbYmk

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.