Sunday Morning Podcast June 18, 2017. Bro. Dave Goble.
TEXT: GENESIS 13:1-7
1 And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.
2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
The world often has peculiar ideas of fatherhood, and often hurt the meaning of their God given place of faithful leadership. But throughout the ages, God has a plan for their place. The world’s foundations will fail, but God the Father’s foundation is sure and will stand. Life can be difficult, but the key is to worship God! All want to make a better life for themselves and family, sometimes more than what they had. Many have had tremendous difficulty here, but a godly example can be found in God’s Word, to have a “tree with good fruit.” We can learn from past mistakes to give a better example. It is not hopeless, for we can look at the example God the Father provides. A father can influence a lifetime for the next generation. A father is crucial to a child. It is important that a child has a good influence from both a mother and father.
Abraham was the role of a father of a great multitude, which included all he was a earthly leader over, and all his belongings. The role of a father is God’s Identity. Every part of God, becomes a part of us, when we become His children. Until this happens we can not yet be a part of God’s “clan” or family. Without a Heavenly Father, we are “wanderers.” We need to have a firm foundation to build upon. Only the Rock of Jesus is a firm foundation spiritually. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psalms 23: 2,3 The Lord as our leader and Father will not lead us to any places of the enemy, or of worldly ideas. He will lead us into His righteousness, for we have none of our own. Too many make their own ways and ideas as if they are of God’s. But God only leads us according to His Word. It cannot be “our version” that is of God’s leadership. God prepares, feeds, and leads. He cares and takes care of all who will follow Him. Jesus, the Son of God teaches us to pray or talk to Him in our private prayer closet, and not to make “a show,” (Matthew 6:4-6) He wants it to be a close personal relationship with Him as our Heavenly Father. God our Heavenly Father will only point us to Jesus and His Church. God’s leadership will not be founded on what makes the flesh feel good. He instead will lead us with His Spirit. Any leadership of the flesh is not of Him.
God the Father will 1) point, 2) provide and 3) protect His children. He points or leads us to His paths of holiness. He provides for our needs, and He protects us from the dangers of spiritual calamities if we allow Him to. God the Father’s way and leadership is better!