Genesis 13: 1 – 4 “So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold. 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 and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the LORD.”
Are you content with what God has given you? Solomon wrote, “Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man”, Proverbs 27:20. There is something about the majority of us that always wants more than God has given us. Let me ask you another question, when do you seek God most? Is it when things are going smooth or when things are not going so well? Many seek God when they are not content with the way things are going in their lives. Are we not to seek God at all times, even during times of contentment?
The great prophet Abram (Abraham) is called by God to take all of his things, and his family and to journey to a place that God would show him. Abraham obeys God, leaves all that is familiar to him, and starts on his journey to “God knows where.” When he arrives at a place between Bethel and Ai he builds an altar and calls upon the name of the Lord. Although Abram was rich in cattle, gold and silver, he didn’t choke on the blessing God gave him. Why not?
1. Abram was content. Abram didn’t try to fight God’s call, but rather took up his household and lived a nomadic lifestyle in his obedience to God. He didn’t go on a journey for more of what he “wanted,” but rather more of what God wanted for him. Paul wrote that “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1Timothy 6:6). Are you one that is content, or always wanting for more of what God is not calling you to? Are you content with what God has given you, in your job, your home, your friends, your family, your appearance, or do you yearn for more.
2. Abram built an altar. What comes to mind when you hear the word altar. Perhaps words like sacrifice, sacred, special, offering, incense, prayer, are some of those words. An altar was a place designed for worship. Pagans set up their altars to worship their false gods many times made of wood and stone. God designed humanity to be worshipers, the only question remains is who or what will one seek to worship. Whatever the case, man will build an altar of worship either with his hands or his mind. Where is your altar, where is the place that you seek God? No one built the altar for Abram, he built it and so should you establish a place whereby you seek God daily. The New Testament refers to the prayer closet as the place to seek Him. When two people are going to meet they establish a meeting place. Where is your established meeting place with God? If you don’t have a place, establish one today, as a sacred meeting place between you and God.
3. Abram called upon God. Abram didn’t allow his wealth to hinder his worship. It’s not enough to build an altar; one must meet with God there. Do you meet with God daily at the altar, in the prayer closet? Prayer is a conversation between two people that love each other –you and God. Do you daily meet with God in prayer and read His word, because He is the Word (John 1)? Some never bother to “pick up the phone” to even call God, or if they do, it is a one-sided conversation. What has God been saying to you lately? If you’re drawing a blank, then perhaps you have not been calling upon His name and listening to His response as Abram did. If so are you content with that? If God has blessed you, don’t choke on the blessing. Be content, build an altar, and call upon God there.
Until the nets are filled…Blessings, Pastor Phil <><
He Has Magnified His Word 