McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1913-02-14


again selecting single man who shall
be the head Of race. We do not of
course infer that Abram received an
audible call, though God could certain.
iy speak as he did on other and numer-
GUS occasions. God calls today by
those inward impulses and desires, by
the voice Of duty and conscience, by
the force Of circumstances, and by
the word. The Bible is Gods great
est organ OF speech. Man, feeling the
conscious presence of God, obeying to
the full his revelation, will see" God
and hear him speak" not through the
atmosphere, but with an inward reve-
lation that will direct his life now
even as 1t did Abrams.
Abrams Journey.
From Acts To we learn that the call
FIRST came to Abram when he was In
Mesopotamia, probably on the right
bank of the Euphrates river, and that
his obedience to that call was only
partial. Abram got out of his own
country. but not into the land prom
ised unto him. He journeyed probably
500 miles to the northwest but got
only as far as Haran, which was not
the promised land. 1t took, evidently.
the death Of his father to move him
from that place, Acts IA. Abram
went not knowing the kind of land,
nor was he told where it was to be.
Heb. 11S. His call was threefold,
~ 'for thy country" (2) "thy kin.
dred," (3) 'thy fathers house." Thus
we see that God demanded complete
separation from the old life, associa.
tons and affections. In this Abram
is great type, lisa. 55:7. But in this
connection We find the record of an
other and a wonderful covenant OF
God with man wv. 2, -. How mar
velously God has kept this promise.
Through Abram came the Messiah
who has so wondrously blessed the
earth. We need also to remember that
the descendants OF Abram are today
Gods chosen people. Every child of
God has his "cal" to separation, 2 Cor.
6:17, Is. Abram left his idolatrous
companions, 30 we, too, must forsaks
our idols.
THE dearest idol have known.
What're that idol be
Help me to tear It from thy throne
And worship only thee
We are told that Haran means "a
parched place." and SO today Abram
has many like him who start for the
land Of promise only to have their
purpose killed by the scorching heat
OF testing and trial as they reach the
Haran experiences of life. and many
like the father of Abram did in Haran.
II. And Abram departed" w. 4-6.
ITO obey Ia better than sacrifice and
to hearken than the fat of rams" I
Samuel 1922. Abram had Just enough
faith to obey. We do not read that he
asked for enlightenment; he saw not |
the land. but he heard the call and
staggered not at the promise. He was
fully persuaded that God was able to
perform and therefore 1t was reck-
oned unto him for righteousness. Acts
5:2o22. But he did not 90 alone. Al
ready God had begun to redeem his |
promise ". ~. Abrams character |
was such and his name Of such import |
that his nephew Lot accompanied |
him. Lot, however, did not possess
that same faith nor q like character.
Lot went with him" and not, like
Abram, with God. Ahram also took |
his own family with him. and 'all their
substance" v. 8. Nothing was left be.
hind to tempt him to return. "And
they went forth into the land OF Ca.
man." type Of the life into which |
We are called In Christ Jesus. Thus |
at once another part Of the promise is
fulfilled.
III. "And the canaanlts was In the
land" w. SO. All was not 80 easily
settled for Abram. MAN that Is born
Of woman IL OF few days and full OF
troubles" no life is devoid OF its test
ing. Eph., 6:12, R. ", and so as Abram
3ourneyed he met with enemies.
HE Place Of Rest.
Passing on from thence he reached
q place of rest ". 81. This is a beau
tiful lesson on conservation. Here II
Abram at "a mountain on the east OF |
Bethel" (house Of Cod. Notice he is
on the east Of Bethel facing westward,
the direction in which he has been
journeying. having Hal (ruins) at his
back, and there he builded an altar
unto the Lord and called upon the
name of the Lord" ". 81. Let us all
remember to turn our backs upon the
world, and as we face the house, the
altar Of God, render him undivided,
worship and service.
Gods appearances to Abram was again
In connection with obedience. God IL
Just as ready to assure US az we jour
ney through this humdrum, toilsome
journey of life, ever ready to meet US
and to make US glad by the way.
Notice that Abram In a strange land |
did not neglect Gods altar like many
a present-day pilgrim. nor to give tes-
timony of his faith for called upon
the name of the Lord" Like the
Christ who had not whers to lay his
head" so Abram was pilgrim"
For the older clnsses consider such
questions as, Every Mans Life Plan
of God; Our Debt to Judaism; Our
Treatment OF Others Who Are PHI
r vi