In our last reading we learned 1 of Terah, Abram, Sarai and Lot journeying from Ur to Haran. The Spirit of God is pleased to let us know just what took place to bring this about: “The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran (Haran), and said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall show thee.” Acts 7:2,32And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, 3And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall show thee. (Acts 7:2‑3).
It was not Terah, the father, who induced his family to leave home. No, it was Abram, his heart stirring with a revelation from God Himself, who answered the call to leave that dead scene. In what manner God appeared to him we do not know, but by whatever means, it was as “the God of glory”—surely an amazing and awesome experience for Abram who apparently knew no god but his own idols in that distant land. What a remarkable example of divine grace this is! But such is ever God’s way with the lost. The Lord could say, “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Matthew 9:1313But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Matthew 9:13). Romans 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) tells us: “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
What a mistake it is for any to think that God will only look on the sinner when he has cleansed his way and “made himself acceptable” by good works. Abram, we may be sure, was not aware how far he was from God, until God’s divine grace came to him. Marvelous love that searches out the sinner and says, “Come unto Me,” even as the Good Shepherd searches out the lost sheep and brings it safely home to the fold! Perhaps the reader is one whom God is searching out this day.
While it is true that God cannot allow sin in His presence, He does not require that we first put away our sins and then come to Him. No, that would be impossible for us to do, because without a new life we cannot overcome sin; we are under Satan’s power. Instead, God shows us what we are in our lost state; He exposes the evil and worthlessness of all that marks our godless ways, and then shows us the worth of all He offers. When we taste His love in offering up His Son for our sins, when we see and own our sinful, helpless condition, and accept that atoning work, then we are transformed—no longer servants of sin, but servants to Him who loves us and has bought us with His own blood.
It was just in this manner that God awakened Abram. He revealed His glory to him, freely gave him a better calling and it was then that Abram put aside his gods, answered the call and determined to separate himself from the poor and paltry things of Ur. The Thessalonians of a later day also “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven”. 1 Thessalonians 1:99For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; (1 Thessalonians 1:9). What a happy change for every believer who finds his needs met and heart satisfied in God’s love through His Son.
ML 01/10/1965