February 2 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

So Abram went, as the LORD had told him.... —Genesis 12:4

The obedience of faith is stated very simply: "So Abram went, as the LORD had told him." God spoke, and Abram did what God said.

At this point we must be very careful not to get all wrapped up in describing the sacrifices of our hero Abram. Usually we start talking about the pain of parting, the severance of ties, the burning of ships, and the courage of faith. We are inclined to talk this way because everybody understands such language. It is the language of ordinary human experience.

But this is not the line of reasoning followed by a man who lives with God.

Abram did not sacrifice anything. What he left behind was nothing in comparison with what lay ahead. He said goodbye to a burnt-out existence—especially if you remember how Joshua said that Abram's fathers served "other gods" (Josh. 24:2). Abram began to move onto a road that was bright with the promises of God. From the point of view of the man who has been gripped by the Word of God, Abram was the receiver and God was the giver.

The journey began with a word, a word from God addressed to a man. This is how a life with God begins. That's how those fishermen experienced it at the Sea of Galilee when the voice of Jesus said, "Follow me." A word comes to us from the other side, from God. It is the call of the gospel.

This Word of God cuts us loose from many old things. If we are wise and obedient, we are quick to break the ties rather than linger with regret. Those who are fascinated by the one who calls them do not pay attention to the pain of parting. Their lives have received a whole new dimension. They are now living in the magnetic field of the presence and promises of God.

REFLECTIONS

To what might God be calling you today? New ways of service? New places to serve? New people to contact?

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published by Paideia Press in 1977. This updated edition is copyright 2009 by Faith Alive Christian Resources. You can order a copy of this revised version of the book directly from the publisher.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this updated edition of Daylight are from the Holy Bible: Today's New International Version copyright 2001, 2005 by the International Bible Society.