Notice these things about Abram:
1) Leaving. “Leave your country … so Abram left.” In those days people traveling across country
were in grave danger because they became prime objects for invaders. Without extended family support, evil aggressors
would lie in wait to cause them harm, steal their possessions, or commit
murder.
2) Going. “Go to the land I will show you.” To “go” was the command God gave which needed
Abram’s willingness and obedience. He
was to leave his country, put himself in a vulnerable situation, completely trust
in God to keep all of his family safe along the way, and travel to an unknown
land.
3) Aging. “Abram was seventy-five years old.”
You would think that a strong young man, rather than an older gentleman,
would have been preferred to take on such an important and strategic task. However,
the issue for God was spiritual strength. Willingness to trust God, to be
obedient, and to show maturity were the factors that were more important to God
than age.
Abram’s willingness to obey resulted in God’s special blessings as noted
in Genesis 12. God would bless him with:
(1) A Nation. Abram would be
given many descendants; (2) A Land.
Abram and his descendants would have a country to possess; (3) Abram Blessed. God would abundantly provide favor and
protection for Abram; and (4) Nations Blessed. God would extend his favor and blessing to
others.
The message for you and me might well be that God would like to use us – whatever our age, even in our retirement years. Think what would happen if we could communicate this same message to senior adults in our churches, senior living facilities, and our communities. We could be a mighty army accomplishing great things for God. Let’s remember that God’s work is always carried out by obedient people, no matter what their age or stage of life. All of us should prepare to make a life-long impact for God.
