HIGHER CALLING
Read: Genesis 12:1-4
[1]Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.
[2]I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.
[3]I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
[4]So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
MEMORISE: If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:26).
EXPOSITION
God is in the business of calling people. He called unto the fallen Adam, to know where he was (Gen. 3:9). And Jesus calls, come to me all you who labour... . (Matt. 11:28). One thing is peculiar about the call of God; it is to be separated from sin and the devil, to be for God alone; to be His disciple. A disciple is a follower, and a follower is someone who goes in the step of another, everywhere. Abram was called to leave three things: his country, family, and father's house.
Jesus calls us to forsake the devil, sin, self and worldliness (1 Jn. 2:15ff; 3:8f). Are you complying? Joseph, Samuel, David, Elisha and some other biblical characters fulfilled this requirement at one time or the other in dedication to God (Gen. 37:12ff, I Sam. 9:1ff, 17:17ff). Apostle Paul testifies, but when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace... (Gal. 1:15-16). The obedience of Abraham to the higher calling of God and his willingness to do God's bidding, including the sacrifice of his only laughter, made God to acknowledge him as His friend and father of nations. He became a true disciple of God and heir of the salvation to come. He risked his own life for God.
Heed God's call today and become a true disciple of Jesus, and commensurate divine exceeding reward will accrue to you, here and hereafter. Receive the grace to be separated from the world of darkness and sin, unto God, in Jesus' name.
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY: CAC GHB 567
1. Saviour, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare;
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
2. We are Thine; do Thou be friend us,
Be the Guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Hear Thy children when they pray
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Hear Thy children when they pray.
3. Thou hast promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse, and make us free:
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee.
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee.
4. Early let us seek Thy favour;
Early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Saviour,
With Thy love our bosoms fill;
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Amen.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, help me so that my obedience will be perfect like that of Abraham, so that I can reap the reward thereof.
2. Help me, O Lord, to follow You as a true disciple, and give me the rest that You give to those who heed Your call.
3. Lord, help Your servants, whom You have separated to be more committed and faithful to their callings.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Psalms 135:15-138:3
