Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: CLEAR AS MUD (07/18/19)
- TITLE: Taking the Plunge
By Dave Walker
07/24/19 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
It was a bad year. His brother had died, leaving a son. His aged father seemed to have given up on life, and his wife was barren. And the moon god of their fathers seemed not to care. As he pleaded with the moon, his eyes shifted to the glorious panoply that was his god's backdrop. Star upon star upon star, the deep blackness a medium for a million trillion bursts of light.
Suddenly, he was soaring in its infiniteness. All around him stars spun, golden light swirled, stretching to eternity. He was part of it all, enfolded within a timeless Presence --- a God far beyond what he'd known.
Though now facedown before the glory, he felt his spirit free, boundless and filled with peace.
"Leave your family and go to Canaan."
It was not an audible voice, but there was no denying it. Abram knew he must obey.
------------ o ------------
"You heard from God? From Sin?" "With your ears?" "He came to earth?"
The questions tumbled within the family gathering.
Abram shook his head. "No, this God is greater than Sin. He's the God of Heaven and Earth. His instructions were clear."
"Go to Canaan? Just like that? No directions about route? Or what to do once there? How to handle the people there?"
Terah interjected. "Nahor's right. You call that a clear instruction? As clear as mud, I'd say."
"And you and Sarai, the start of a great nation?" Terah's wife's mocking was unmistakeable. "With no children? Did this so-called God explain that?"
The family erupted, as Abram tried to explain the inexplicable.
"Everyone, please. Be quiet." Sarai's voice hushed everyone. "I know my husband. He's not given to fantasies or rash decisions. If he's experienced the God over all gods, it would be foolish for him to ignore it." She bit her lower lip in an agony of resolve. "If we go, I'll support him with all I've got."
Thus began the greatest faith adventure in the story of God's people, setting the pattern for us all. Abram continued his journey as he started --- with one instruction crystal clear and the rest as clear as mud, till, as his acts of obedience unfolded, more and more became clear.
He sometimes failed. Though God had instructed him to go to Canaan, when the going got tough, he moved to Egypt. Once there, his fear muddied the waters of God's promise and he lied to Pharoah about his wife.
Nevertheless, when God promised him a son in his old age, he chose to believe, and proved the joy of trusting without questioning as Isaac was born.
Then, when the greatest test came, he responded in a way that resounds throughout history and has become the touchstone of faith.
Abraham!
"Here I am."
Take Isaac. Sacrifice him to Me on Mount Moriah as a burnt offering.
No other instructions, no reason given. Muddy waters. What about the great nation I was going to start? And our miracle child? Don't look for the whole picture. Take the one clear call.
Then step into the mud.
Arm raised. Knife in hand.
Abraham, you've passed the test. Here's a ram.
Relief. Pure relief.
But still the question. Why the test?
Those waters would only clear 1800 years later as the Son of God became the true substitute Lamb and Abraham's sacrifice was understood as its foreshadowing.
Like flaming torches lighting the corridors of time, men have followed Abraham's example. Joseph, shown only that he would be a ruler, yet slumped in the murky waters of an Egyptian jail. David promised a kingship, yet hunted in a barren wilderness. Mary, promised to nurture a Saviour, yet watching Him die. David Wilkerson told to visit the trial of a ruthless gang, yet thrown out of the courthouse. God's course as clear as mud --- to us on earth; but crystal clear to God in Heaven. And how wise and beautiful it turns out to be when we see it as He does. That's the excitement of the walk of faith.
The waters might look murky now, but one day we'll hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." and see the glorious vista of all He has done through us in crystal clarity at last.
1 Cor 13:12 "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
Blessings~
Blessings~