God gave him this command: “Leave your country. Leave your family and your inheritance. Move into unknown territory, where I will show you a new homeland.”First, he left Chaldea in southern Mesopotamia and settled in Haran until his father died. Then God led him still farther from his original home—until he settled here, in our land. But at that point, God still hadn’t given him any of this land as his permanent possession—not even the footprint under his sandal actually belonged to him yet. But God did give Abraham a promise…
Acts 7:3-5b The Voice
As I read the daily reading for this morning, I asked Jesus to show me what He wanted to stand out for me. At first, nothing popped up. So, I read it in another translation. Still nothing. I went onto another translation. Then a thought whispered through my mind. What is similar in Abraham, Joseph, and Moses’ lives.
They all left their homeland to live in a foreign land. And God used them exactly where they were.
God called Abraham out of his homeland saying, “Leave your country. Leave your family, and your inheritance. Move into an unknown territory, where I will show you a new homeland.“ Joseph was sold by his brothers and taken to a foreign land. Moses was put in a river taken to a foreign land that became his home. And then he ran away from his home to a foreign land.
They all lived in a foreign land for a time. God blessed them all in the foreign land. And then they were given a new homeland.
This got me thinking of the Scriptures that tells us, “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” Hebrews 13:14 NLT. And, “We are only foreigners living here on earth for a while, just as our ancestors were. And we will soon be gone, like a shadow that suddenly disappears.” 1 Chronicles 29:15 CEV
We too are foreigners in a foreign land. Just like Abraham, Joseph, and Moses we are called by Jesus to serve people in this foreign land while we are here. God has a purpose for us while we are here on earth. But we have the hope that this is not all there is to life. Just as Abraham, Joseph, and Moses had. We live here in a foreign land with the hope of a home that is yet to come.
Once again, Jesus pointed out to me the threads that run throughout His word that connect all believers together.
Until next time with Jesus’ help let’s be less messy and choose what’s better.