Quiet Time Coaching Episode 260

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: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

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