The Hope of Abraham
“For he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:10 NASBS The account of Abraham’s salvation, as presented in the holy scriptures, brings immense joy to Christians today. It illustrates God’s sovereign mercy towards a man who grew up in a family that worshiped pagan idols. As noted in the book of Joshua, “From ancient times your fathers lived beyond the River, including Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor, and they served other gods.” Abraham, originally named Abram, was called by God to leave his homeland and family to follow a divine promise. Despite his upbringing in a household devoted to other gods, the eternal God—who has neither a beginning nor end—looked down upon him with love and brought him out of darkness.
The scriptures state, “Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you.” “So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him,” “for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”Oh, the sovereign mercy of the living God, Who initiated the effectual calling upon the wicked heart of Abraham, even before the foundations of the world. The sovereign Lord arrested him, making him captive to infinite love, and turning him from a rebel against the truth into a vessel of His divine purpose. Who can truly grasp the divine mercy of this Holy God, whose ways are beyond our comprehension? As the prophet Isaiah declares, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” says the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Behold, “He who forms mountains and creates the wind, revealing His thoughts to humanity, who transforms dawn into darkness and walks upon the heights of the earth,” rescued Abraham from the depths of eternal damnation with the promise that a Messiah would arise from his descendants to be the Savior of the world. Abraham’s story stands as a profound testament to faith and divine calling. His journey began when God commanded him to leave his familiar surroundings and embark on a path into the unknown, assuring him that he would become the father of a great nation. This unwavering call illustrates the power of redemption over humanity’s obstinate heart, ultimately fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I pray that if you have not come to know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit would open up your heart to reveal the wickedness that resides within you. May the eyes of your heart see Jesus Christ bearing your sins on the cross, enduring the agony of His torment that was due to you. Do not resist such love as this. “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.” “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
Come to Christ and be saved, for, “There is a fountain filled with blood Drawn from Immanuel’s veins; And sinners, plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains.” “The dying thief rejoiced to see That fountain in his day; And there may I, though vile as he, Wash all my sins away.” Like Abraham of old, may the Lord lead you out of the wickedness of your sins to walk in holiness in a culture ravaged by deceitfulness and lies. May you throw yourself upon the mercy of Jesus Christ coming to Him in faith and with a heart of repentance.