The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1913-02-12
Sunday School Notes
Side Lights on Next Sundays Lesson
for Teachers and Pupils.
Edited by Charles X. Meyers

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Feb. 16. The Call of Abram. Gen
u, 10.
"By faith Abraham, when he was
called to go out into a place
which he should after receive for
an inheritance, obeyed; and went
out, not knowing whittier he went.
Heb. lis"
We are to consider this week one
of the greatest men of the Old Tesla
ment history A man who stands out
in the limelight as remarkable ex-
ample of faith in the promises of God.
Looked at from the distance of years
many are apt to think there was moth
ing strange or heroic in Abrams obey
ing Gods directions. Of course it is
easy now, when the end is known, and
all has come out as promised. The
test of faith however, is in acting
without visible evidence that all will
be we'll
Abraham and his relatives were liv-
ing in country far to the east of the
land We now call Palestine. He was
prosperous owner Of flocks and
herds, married and we may we'll be-
lieve looking forward to spending his
days in the same manner as his faith
ers and neighbours Where he was
there was certainty of ease, comfort,
respect of his fellow countrymen. The
word came to him from the Lord he
worshipped to leave all this behind
and journey into far country. With
this command was a promise of" care,
and that he should be the founder of
a great nation and further that
through him should all the families
of the earth be blessed
The promises to Abraham were
great, but there was nothing to make
sure that all would come to pass. To
remain where he was meant sure
thing, and to go, severing tribal and
family ties, which were very strong.
The bible record says that he did not
hesitate, but taking his wife and Lot,
his nephew, and his movable proper
ty he departed. The words Of st.
Paul declare as seen in the verse at
the head of this column, that he went
out not knowing whittier he went. "By
doing this Abraham won Immortality
in history and spiritual Immortality
as we'll.
The departure from his childhood
home through faith in the promises OF
God was but the beginning of great
career. God spoke to him many times
giving further promise and directions
for action. Many of the leading events
of his life we shall study in lessons
soon to follow Do not be content
with only reading the verses found in
the quarterly or lesson leaf, but look
well to Abraham's entire history. 1t
will be found Of intense interest.
The great apostle Poul holds to
view the central thought and lesson
which we can gain from the obedience
of Abraham in God and readi-
ness to obey His commands. II Ab-
raham had been content to remain,
his bones would have turned to dust
thousands of years ago and his mem
DRY long forgotten, but he did not re-
main, but with faith and trust he de-
parted, not knowing where he was go
ing believing that God would provide
for his future.
There is a call to you and ! from
God this day. He promises us that if
we leave the surrounding which would
hold us down to spiritual death He
will care for us, and that it has not
entered into the heart or mind of man
to conceive or picture the things
which are prepared for those who love
and serve Him. Jesus Himself said
He would prepare a place for us and
ldhc us W Uc Will Hill IL we ItIL Slll
behind and followed after Him here
on earth. Abraham obeyed his call,
what are you, dear reader, going to do
with yours?
There may be ease, wealth, sup
posed joys on the one side which
seems sure, and on the other prom
Uses only which it takes great faith to
believe. Of coures the thing to do is
to have the faith, follow the bible di-
rections and be assured of blessed
eternal life after our earthly bodies
are no more. Let the record of our
life read that by faith he or she be,
lieved the promises of the bible, act
ed on them as if fully realized in ad-
vance, lived life of self-sacrifice for
others, set an example which all could
follow, and died triumphant as a chris
tian.