“The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran” –Acts 7:2.

 

Tradition tells us God appeared to Abram when he was a young boy, climbing the massive pyramid in his homeland of Ur.  Abram grew up in the Middle East country of Iraq, near the traditional location of the Garden of Eden.  As he was climbing he asked, “Father why don’t we worship the God who created the sun, moon and stars, instead of worshipping those things that represent Him?”  Quite a question for a young boy; but remember Jesus observed the honesty of children when He said, “Of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

 

Young Abram must have had a heart for God, that’s why the God of glory appeared to him.  At the top of the pyramid was a zoological chart of the heavens, all to help young Abram worship the stars, but he didn’t want to worship the stars.  The city of Ur had many idols, each beckoning for Abram’s allegiance.  But he was not attracted to idols.  The library of Hamurabi was shelved in Ur—22,000 volumes—Abram could have worshipped knowledge; but the young boy had a passion for God, turning his back on the deities of his hometown.  Lord, I’m looking for You, help me find You. 

 

Abram searched for the true God.  He heard the stories of the Tower of Babel—the greatest pyramid dedicated to the stars—but he knew the Lord God confused their languages at Babel.  Abram heard the stories of the flood, so he knew the Lord God saved Noah and his family through the ark.  And when young Abram heard the story that the Lord God created the earth and universe, he believed it.  Lord, help me believe in You and act on what I know.

 

Because Abram had a desire to know God, the Lord appeared to tell him when he was grown, “Leave this country and your family; go to a land that I will show you.”  That’s quite a stretch for one raised in a cultured city.  God wanted Abram to leave the influence of idols, and the subtleties of temptation—leave the city of Ur, leave civilization, and most difficult of all, leave your relatives.  Lord, I put You first in my life.

In the promise land, Abram’s attention wouldn’t be diverted from pursuing God.  He’d be living in a tent away from the city.  With no one to distract him, Abram would walk the Judean hills with God; he’d talk to God and enjoy His presence.  Abram could offer the blood sacrifice without being ridiculed.  He could lift his hands to the Creator of the universe, knowing God was Most High.  There is no one higher or greater than his God.  Lord, I worship You alone.

God told Abram about co-regency, “I wanted mankind to be fruitful, multiply and replenish all the earth (Gen. 9:1), but they have congregated here on the plains around the Euphrates River.  I wanted them to worship Me, but they bowed down to idols.”  Now God was changing His plans.  God now planned to make a great family out of Abram.  God wanted all people to seek forgiveness of sins through the blood sacrifice but mankind turned from God.  Now God’s plan was to build one nation, a holy nation, and through that nation reach the world.  Salvation would come through the family of Abram.  So God promised, “Through you, I’ll bless all people.”  Through the seed of Abraham, God will reach out to the world.

 

God revealed Himself to one man in the world, to Abram.  Why?  Because Abram believed in his heart that God was the LORD, there was no other.  Abram was a worshipper of the true God.  Lord, may I see You when all around me turns aside.

Abram trod the hills of Judea, looking for a city; not an earthly city like the one he left.  He wanted to live in a holy city, not a city of crime and lies and idols.  Abram knew that God had laid a foundation for a holy city, and He would build it.  If Abram didn’t see that city until after death, that was alright; because only the city of God—where God is worshipped—would satisfy Abram.  So, he would rather live in a tent with God, than to live with human corruption in an earthly city.  God, give me this passion.

 

What was Abram’s passion?  Knowing God, talking with God and walking with God.  What is your passion?  Do you seek God’s presence each day?  You can meet with Him, talk to Him and hear from Him.  Why don’t you meet with Him now?  Lord, here am I.

 

Today’s Reading:  Acts 7