Test One "Circumstances" (Gen. 12:10)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 05/12/2006

My Worship Time                                                                             Focus:  Circumstances

Bible Reading & Meditation                                         Reference:  Genesis 12:10

            Message of the verse:  “10 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.”

           

            In the section from Genesis 12:10-13:18 Abraham was given some tests from the Lord, tests to his faith.  This first test was a circumstance, and that circumstance was a famine in the land of Canaan.  The way that Abraham decided to handle this problem was to take off and go to Egypt and from Canaan, Egypt is always going down.  Going down to Egypt spiritually speaking is to be a part of the worlds system of bondage, and going up to Jerusalem or being in the land of Canaan is to inherit the blessings of the Lord.  Some have taught that crossing over to Canaan is a picture of going to heaven, however that is not the case, as it is a picture of a faithful person inheriting the blessings from God as Israel did whenever they finally got there.

           

            When Abraham got to Canaan the Lord again spoke to him and so he must have been on a spiritual high, but when the famine came to the land it was a test from the Lord after the spiritual victory.  God sometimes tests believers after spiritual victories in order to keep them humble, so that they do not think that they can handle all of life’s problems.  I believe that Abraham should have stayed put, being in the will of God instead of running down to Egypt. 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I, too am going through a very large test from the Lord with the problem of our investments with Andrew Lech, and I am not going through this test alone, but the Lord is with me and He will see me through this test in a way that will be good for me and bring glory to Him.

The Word of God has brought refreshment to my heart as I read and studied it this morning.

My Steps of Faith Today:  To believe that the Lord will continue to teach me contentment, to direct my path, and to give me the grace to accomplish the works that He has ordained for me from eternity past.