Malcolm Cox

Introduction

- The year behind: largely an unexpected adventure!

- The year ahead: more of the same!

    - Uncertain outcomes

- Choose - cooperate with God's faith adventure

- We can learn how to start in the right way by looking at how Abraham's faith adventure began

---

1. Listen to God -  Genesis 12:1-4, 7

- What is God trying to achieve?

    - Not just do something nice for Abram

    - Healing for creation

        - Eden; murder; flood wickedness; Babel pride - sound like our world today?

        - How?

        - Men and women of faith

        - Abram - reverse of Babel

            - Makes someone great - the one who honours him

- *Really* listen - he loves you

    - Only has our best interests at heart

 “Go forth ....And I will” (Genesis 12:1–2 NAS95)

    - "Go...so that I may make you...bless you...

    - Great nation

    - Bless you

        - 80 X Genesis ; 310 elsewhere

        - 'Bless' X5 - concentrated burst

    - Name great (only David)

    - Be a blessing: “you will be the embodiment of blessing”; “You will be a byword of blessing”, I.e., “may you be as blessed as Abram”.

        - (Matthew 5:16 NIV11)

        - (1 Peter 2:12 NAS95)

    - Protection: “neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39 NIV11)

    - All peoples on earth: Matt 28:18-20

    - (To your offspring I will give this land" - v7)

- Prioritise times of quiet with God - but to grow in them, not just have them

    - Personal connection - we have Father, Jesus and Spirit within us

 “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” (John 14:23 NAS95)

 “having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:13–14 NAS95)

- He worships - altars etc.vv7, 8, ....

    - Part of our character, not just something we do

    - Not trying to create a people of moral conformity,

        - But light in the darkness and water in the desert

- In this - the pressure is off. It is not about talent, but faith.

    - My greatest gift is not my abilities, but my faith.

---

2. Take God at his word - Genesis 12:4-9

- Travels North-South through the land, stopping off on the way and worshipping.

    - Much like us

- God adds some detail to the promises, v7

- Instinct to worship, honour God

- What leaving behind?

    - He left all that made him emotionally and practically secure

        - Dad, brothers, extended family, livelihood, culture, food, language, ways of doing business, values

    - Traditional way of doing church?

- What moving towards?

    - Greater use of our gifts?

        - In service to one another and the world.....

- TV mission

 "To cooperate with the Spirit in spreading the good news across the South West of England."

- Gift-use focus 2021

 “For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:3–8 NAS95)

- Using gifts requires faith

- Take a step to discover and use gifts - in service of God

---

3. Accept God's discipline - Genesis 12:10-20

- Abraham self focused, his mind on potentially negative fate.

    - Leads to fears dominating his judgement.

    - Acts for self preservation.

    - Not imagining how God might preserve him, but how he might preserve himself

    - When we focus on our fears, God gets smaller than the problem.

- Don't be surprised by your failings - they are not fatal

    - There are consequences - Imagine the state of their marriage after this

    - Yet God can use it

- Sometimes God's discipline is severe

    - It needed plagues to restore Sarah to her destiny and deportation to get Abram back to Canaan.

- Spiritual highs are sometimes accompanied by spiritual lows.

- Key issue here:

    - This is a contest between God and the God-King.

        - We are in a spiritual battle.

        - We are in a one sided war already won - if we are with God

---

Conclusion

- Your life matters

- Abraham feeling his way forward - just like all of us

Douglas Jacoby takes us on a tour of Abraham and his influence in the Old Testament.

The accompanying handout can be found here:  https://www.malcolmcox.org/abraham-the-balance-of-the-old-testament-douglas-jacoby/

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). 

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). 

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. 

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) 

God bless, Malcolm

Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.

What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)

Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.

Episode 8

Today we conclude chapter 12

“But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? “Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her and go.” Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they escorted him away, with his wife and all that belonged to him.” (Genesis 12:17–20 NAS95)

What are we seeing here? God in action. He was absent in the previous paragraph, but now he acts.

Abram is getting his first lesson in what happens when we deny reality. His fear has caused faith-amnesia. He has forgotten that God's promises are to be taken seriously. God promised to bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him.

The consequences of giving in to fear instead of living by faith are severe. Abram's faithlessness has an impact on many people. It is a negative impact instead of a positive one. Abram's time in Egypt could have led people to be in awe of a God who blesses his faithful ones. Instead, Abram's God is known as one who curses.

However, we do see grace at work. God does not abandon Abram. God does not kill Pharaoh or any of his people. Somehow Abram and Sarai's marriage survives! And, perhaps most strange of all, Abram comes out of the situation with blessings. He leaves with more possessions then he arrived with.

Devotional thought for today

Conflict is inevitable in life. Is there a necessary conflict you are avoiding? Abram attempted to avoid conflict with Pharaoh, but made the situation much worse. He forgot that God had everything in hand.

“The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”” (Acts 23:11 NIV11)

Prayer point for today

Ask God for the courage to do what is right

If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: [email protected].

The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.

Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.

Take care and God bless, Malcolm

Introduction

- The year behind: largely an unexpected adventure!

- The year ahead: more of the same!

- Choose - cooperate with God's faith adventure

- We can learn how to start in the right way by looking at how Abraham's faith adventure began

---

1. Listen to God -  Genesis 12:1-4, 7

- What is God trying to achieve?

    - Healing for creation

        - Eden; murder; flood wickedness; Babel pride - sound like our world today?

        - How?

        - Men and women of faith

        - Abram - reverse of Babel

            - Makes someone great - the one who honours him

- *Really* listen - he loves you

    - Only has our best interests at heart

        “Go forth ....And I will” (Genesis 12:1–2 NAS95)

    - "Go...so that I may make you...bless you...

    - Great nation

    - Bless you

        - 80 X Genesis ; 310 elsewhere

        - 'Bless' X5 - concentrated burst

    - Name great (only David)

    - Be a blessing: “you will be the embodiment of blessing”; “You will be a byword of blessing”, I.e., “may you be as blessed as Abram”.

        - “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 NIV11)

        - “Keep your behaviour excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:12 NAS95)

    - Protection: “neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39 NIV11)

    - All peoples on earth: Matt 28:18-20

    - (To your offspring I will give this land" - v7)

- Prioritise times of quiet with God - but to grow in them, not just have them

    - Personal connection - we have Father, Jesus and Spirit within us

 “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” (John 14:23 NAS95)

 “having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:13–14 NAS95)

- He worships - altars etc.vv7, 8, ....

    - Part of our character, not just something we do

    - Not trying to create a people of moral conformity,

        - But light in the darkness and water in the desert

- In this - the pressure is off. It is not about talent, but faith.

    - My greatest gift is not my abilities, but my faith.

---

2. Take God at his word - Genesis 12:4-9

- Travels North-South through the land, stopping off on the way and worshipping.

- God adds some detail to the promises, v7

- Instinct to worship, honour God

- What leaving behind?

    - He left all that made him emotionally and practically secure

        - Dad, brothers, extended family, livelihood, culture, food, language, ways of doing business, values

    - Traditional way of doing church?

- What moving towards?

    - Greater use of our gifts?

        - In service to one another and the world.....

- Watford mission

 "To cooperate with the Spirit in spreading the good news across Herts, Beds & Bucks."

- Using gifts requires faith

- Take a step to discover and use gifts - in service of God

---

3. Accept God's discipline - Genesis 12:10-20

- Abraham self focused, his mind on potentially negative fate.

    - Leads to fears dominating his judgement.

    - Acts for self preservation.

    - Not imagining how God might preserve him, but how he might preserve himself

    - When we focus on our fears, God gets smaller than the problem.

- Don't be surprised by your failings - they are not fatal

    - There are consequences - Imagine the state of their marriage after this

    - Yet God can use it

- Sometimes God's discipline is severe

    - It needed plagues to restore Sarah to her destiny and deportation to get Abram back to Canaan.

- Spiritual highs are sometimes accompanied by spiritual lows.

    - Post-baptism.

- Key issue here:

    - This is a contest between God and the God-King.

        - We are in a spiritual battle.

        - We are in a one sided war already won - if we are with God

---

Conclusion

- Your life matters

- Abraham feeling his way forward - just like all of us

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). 

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). 

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. 

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) 

God bless, Malcolm

Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.

What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)

Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.

Episode 7

Today we continue in chapter 12

“Now there was a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. It came about when he came near to Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman; and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. “Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, and that I may live on account of you.” It came about when Abram came into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. Therefore he treated Abram well for her sake; and gave him sheep and oxen and donkeys and male and female servants and female donkeys and camels.” (Genesis 12:10–16 NAS95)What are we seeing here? After our brief introduction to the promises, and the unhesitating faithful obedience of Abram, we find him facing his first challenge.

The problem is real. Outside of an invading army, famine was the greatest danger of the ancient world. The prospect of starvation was real and terrifying. The situation affected Abram, but also Sarai, Lot and all the others with him.

How will he react?

We might be surprised that he wishes to pass off his wife as his sister. Certainly, we will see that God does not approve. However, we need to pause long enough to recognise Abraham as a fellow-human. He is doing what we all do. One unavoidable problem is being compounded by adding an imagined problem.

He is correct in judging that without food he and his family will die. He is incorrect in assuming that the Egyptians will kill him. He cannot know this for a fact. His fears are clouding his judgement. We can note that there is no mention of God in this paragraph.

Devotional thought for today

What is causing the greatest fear in your heart at the moment? There's no point denying that we all have fears. However, we can respond to them in a healthy and faithful way.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6–7 NIV11)Lay out your anxieties before God today. Take them out of the shadows, and place them in God's light. Let him give you peace, and refuse the temptation to attempt to control events. Remember that he cares for you and your well-being. God knows that, together with his Spirit, you have enough strength for the challenges ahead.

Prayer point for today

Ask God to help you respond to fear with faith.

If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: [email protected].

The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.

Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.

Take care and God bless, Malcolm

I hope you had a cracking Christmas, but also a wonderful New Year. It's two days into 2021, the sun is shining outside my window, and God is God! 

I have seen far too many headlines and memes over the last few days bemoaning 2020 and hoping that 2021 will be better. Granted, there were many things last year that were messed up and unpleasant. However, God was in it all. 

I do not know if 2021 will be 'better' than last year. That's a difficult thing to describe. What I do know is God is with us on the journey. As I begin a particular focus on Abraham, one thing I notice is that his life was in much better shape when he journeyed with God, rather than gave into his fears. Perhaps we need the experience of Paul,

"...the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”” (Acts 23:11 NIV11)

I pray for you that you have sufficient courage, from the Lord, to embrace the faith challenges of the year ahead. Please, I beg you, pray that prayer for me also. 

Due to the magic of pre-recording, there is plenty on my website, podcast feed, and YouTube channel to enjoy it. The particular focus is planning for the year ahead in speaking, reading and spiritual wellbeing.

I hope you find these resources helpful.

God bless, Malcolm

If you'd like to pray for me I'd be very grateful. Here are some of my plans:

Until the next time, 

God bless, Malcolm

Adventures in Faith with Abraham - Episode 6. Quiet Time Coaching Episode 263

Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.

What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)

Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.

Episode 6

Today we continue in chapter 12

“So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, and the persons which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan; thus they came to the land of Canaan. Abram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. Now the Canaanite was then in the land. The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him. Then he proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD. Abram journeyed on, continuing toward the Negev.” (Genesis 12:4–9 NAS95)What are we seeing here? A faith-fuelled obedience. One conversation with God was enough for Abram to set out on a very long journey. We are given very little detail, which must be deliberate. It emphasises the simplicity of Abram's faith and the willingness of his obedience. All of this demonstrates the depth of his trust of God.

Abram's instinct is to worship. He desires to honour his God. As he journeys he leaves behind a trail of altars. Symbolically at least it is evidence of his belief that God will, one day, give him this land. In one sense it already belongs to Abram because it clearly belongs to God. This is the place where he appears to his people.

Devotional thought for today

What prompts your worship? What gets you thanking and praising your heavenly father? One of my favourites is this:

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9–10 NIV11)Why not try praying through this passage and letting God know how grateful you are that he has called you, just like he called Abram. Calling you to be blessed, in order to be a blessing to others.

Prayer point for today

Ask God to help you worship him with reverence and awe

If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: [email protected].

The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.

Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.

Take care and God bless, Malcolm

Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.

What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)

Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.

Episode 5

Today we begin the narrative about Abraham specifically.

“Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives, And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”” (Genesis 12:1–3 NAS95)What are we seeing here? A human being chosen by God to be part of his plan to heal humankind. The emphasis is blessing. The initiative is God's. The results are far beyond what any human being could manufacture, control or even dream.

The blessings pile up one upon another. Indeed, blessings are a hallmark of Genesis. 80 times they are mentioned in Genesis, while the rest of the Old Testament contains only another 310 references to blessings. Right at the beginning of his word God wants us to understand something very significant - he is for us, he is on our side, he has our best interests at heart.

Devotional thought for today

God loves to talk to his people and bless them. That is why he sent Jesus. His overwhelming desire is for us to be in a state of blessed connection with him and each other.

“Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me. Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” (John 12:26; 14:23; 16:23 NIV11)What difference would it make if you spent some time today consciously accepting God's love for you? Perhaps you could pray through these scriptures from the Gospel of John. What would change in your day if you fully trusted that God honoured you, loved you and would give you whatever you ask in the name of Jesus?

Prayer point for today

Ask God for the confidence to trust that he wants to speak to you and bless you

If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: [email protected].

The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.

Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.

Take care and God bless, Malcolm

Adventures in Faith with Abraham - Episode 4. Quiet Time Coaching Episode 261

Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.

What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)

Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.

Episode 4

Tomorrow we will move on to Genesis chapter 12. Let's take one last look at chapter 11 before we go.

There is a problem. A major problem. And the text highlights it without apology.

“Sarai was barren; she had no child.” (Genesis 11:30 NAS95)Why does the writer emphasise Sarai's inability to have children? No explanation is given. No context. How does she feel? What impact does this have on Abram? We can only speculate, but some cultural context might be helpful:

"Without children the man had no one to perpetuate his name and the wife enjoyed little prestige and much frustration, for she had no alternative career to motherhood. Further, in old age, childless couples had no children to care for them, and after death, none to carry out the funerary rites regarded as vital to the soul’s well-being in the afterlife." Wenham, Gordon J. Genesis 1–15. WBC 1.Sarai's barrenness may illustrate more than simply a human challenge. She is the one through whom, ultimately, the author of life will emerge (Matthew 1:3, 16; Acts 3:15). She represents Eve through whom all life would come (Gen 3:20).

But she is dry.

The Bible does not hide difficult matters. Obstacles and disappointments are highlighted, not hidden. Heroes are revealed to have flaws. No airbrushing here. We shall see this clearly as we get to know Abram and Sarai better.

For those of us who know the story (plot spoiler!) she will have a child. It will be a miracle. There will be laughter and joy. More on that later. It is important, if we are to fully grasp the significance of what God wishes to teach us, that we do not skip to the end without entering the experience of our friends Abram and Sarai.

Devotional thought for today

Is there any "dryness" in your life? Has your career stalled? Perhaps you are stuck in your marriage, or in a dispute with a friend. Have health challenges become more than you can bear? Are you finding it hard to connect your heart to your heavenly father?

Remember that in a dry land, a woman found more refreshment than she expected when she met Jesus at the well:

“Where can you get this living water?” (John 4:11 NIV11)Jesus gave her that water, and he offers the same to us:

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”” (John 7:38 NIV11)Indeed, we are all heading towards ultimate refreshment, not just for us but the world:

“For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”” (Revelation 7:17 NIV11)Prayer point for today

Ask God for refreshment in the driest parts of your life

If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: [email protected].

The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.

Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.

Take care and God bless, Malcolm

Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.

What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)

Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.

Episode 3

Today let's have a look at the way in which we are introduced to Abraham in the context of the rest of Genesis chapter 11.

The background picture is pretty bleak. After the magnificence of creation, and the spectacular intimacy of God's relationship with his people in Eden, we have tragedy after tragedy. The first murder, the necessity of the flood, and the confounding of the arrogance of humankind at Babel.

The human thread is tragic and sad. The divine thread is one of grace and hope.

The latter part of Genesis 11 takes us towards greater hope. In just a few generations we move from Babel to Abram. From pride to faith. Of course, the evidence of that faith is still to come. But, knowing the story, we are made aware that pride, rebellion and confusion are not the last word.

“Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went out together from Ur of the Chaldeans in order to enter the land of Canaan;” (Genesis 11:31 NAS95)As we come towards the end of the chapter we find people on the move. Where are they going? To "the land of Canaan". We are introduced to hope. It will not be a straightforward journey. There will be pauses, obstacles and mistakes. Patience will be needed. But, God is guiding and providing.

Devotional thought for today

One of our challenges as people of faith is to be patient pilgrims. Along the way we discover the journey is not smooth. Yet, in encountering this, we discover that God is with us.

Are you finding your journey challenging at the moment? Do you wonder where all this is leading? It's important to remember that the fate of Adam and Eve, of those drowned in the flood, of those confused at Babel, is not the last word.

“...hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5 NIV11)Prayer point for today

Ask God to help you see hope even in your darkest moments and situations

If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: [email protected].

The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.

Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.

Take care and God bless, Malcolm