“Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.” Isaiah 51:2
Where does faith come from? We know that it is a gift of God, but do we know what our role is to be so that faith can be received, and exercised in a manner, and magnitude, that the Lord desires and wills?
When God calls a man, He reveals Himself to the man. Sometimes the man does not recognize the calling of God, for he does not recognize or realize God’s dealings with him. It is like the case of Samuel as a young boy. The Lord spoke to him at least twice, calling him by name, but “…Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.” (1 Samuel 3:7) Why is it that one minute one recognizes the presence and calling of God, but until then, one doesn’t? It is because of the working of the Spirit of God in the life to bring that person to the place where they can, and will, respond to the revelation and reality of the Lord’s presence. The callling of God is not just an objective act of God. It is God coming by the Spirit, Christ revealing Himself to the heart, bringing that person not only to the consciousness of His presence, but to the realization and conviction that He is truly speaking. In the case of one’s calling, it is very clear, concise, and convincing.
We do not know how God revealed Himself to Abram in the land of Ur of the Chaldees. After coming to the land of Canaan, we find the Lord physically presenting himself before Abram, even standing beside him, conversing with him concerning the judgment that was to fall on Sodom and Gomorrah. What we do know is that Abram, even though his father, and probably most if not all his family, worshipped idols. Yet, God worked in Abram’s heart to bring him to the point of being willing to see and understand that it was God that was speaking to him, calling him, to leave his country and family, to go out to a place which he did not know, there to know God, and see accomplished all that God had promised. God was determined to make a man of faith of Abram, and this He did.
It is important to understand that God is a God of clarity, not confusion. We read in God’s calling of Abram that though there was much that was not said, for which Abram would need to trust God, the essential message was simple and sufficient. God specifically called this man Abram with such clarity and conviction, that Abram obeyed, eventually becoming the man of faith that God intended him to become.
It is also important, with regard to the calling, to understand and grasp that there is great blessing in that calling. Yes, it may be met with difficulties, opposition, even persecution, but it is there that God will command the blessing, primarily the blessing of His presence, and a greater knowledge of Himself. In Abram’s case, not only was there the increasing revelation of Christ to him, but the evident favor and blessing upon Abram with regard to God’s protection and abundant provision. The Lord did all of this to make Abram an example to the world, a testimony to the fact that God’s way to know Him is faith, and that He is indeed a “Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”
Lastly, there is the matter of fruitfulness. God had promised Abram that he would be fruitful, making of him to be a great nation. The extent of the blessing would be worldwide, stretching even into eternity. God would declare to him: “…and in thee shall all familes of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)
What is the application of these truths to our individual lives? God is known by the calling He gives. According to that calling there will be blessing and fruitfulness.
Dear Father, Speak and make us listen. In Jesus’ name, Amen.