Advent Devotions

Today’s author is Prince of Peace member Debbie Jorgens.

Text: Genesis 12:1-9

“So Abram went, as the Lord had told him….” (12:4)

Can you picture it? Here is 75-year-old Abram, deeply rooted in the city of Haran where he and his wife, Sarai, have lived for decades when suddenly, out of the blue, he hears the Lord telling him to leave Haran and go “…to a land that I will show you.” In the same breath, God makes astounding promises to Abram – promises that include descendants – “I will make of you a great nation” and blessing – “I will bless you and make your name great so that you will be a blessing.” (God’s promise of the land to Abraham and his descendants is found in Genesis 13:15.)

Abram must have been stunned by God’s command. But without so much as a word or a roadmap, he packs up and heads south with Sarai and his nephew, Lot, leaving behind the comfort of his home and the support of his community. It’s astonishing, if you stop to think about it – especially if you try to imagine yourself in Abram’s shoes.

The scriptures don’t tell us why God chose Abram, but we know that Abram responded faithfully to God’s call. That said, he was a flawed human being, like the rest of us. He had moments of doubt. He made some poor decisions. He tried to take things into his own hands when he became impatient with God’s timing. But Abraham trusted in God’s steadfast love and mercy.

Though Abraham believed God’s promises, he and Sarah waited many years for a son. And the only land that Abraham came to possess was the burial plot in Hebron that he purchased for Sarah, where he himself would later be buried. But Abraham’s faith enabled him to trust that what God had promised would come to pass, even if he could not yet see it.

In reference to Abraham and Sarah and those that preceded them, the author of Hebrews writes: “All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them” (Hebrews 11:13).

Loving God, thank you for the faith of Abraham and all who have been examples for us in our faith journeys. Help us to trust that you will fulfill all that you have promised. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.