9

Abram heard the call to the walk of faith. It was a call to simplicity of life-style. To simplicity of attitude. To simplicity of relationships. To simplicity in the area of priorities, standards, and values.

This was the simplicity of singleness of purpose which focused on the Word of God. That Word by which God spoke His will to the one living the life of faith. His will, which so clearly established the life-style, and which set the attitudes of life.

It is the relationship with the Lord which controls all other relationships. That relationship always sets all other priorities. They are His priorities. His standards. His values

Simplicity, singleness of purpose, all centered on the Lord, being always concerned only to do His will. That in all things He be glorified.

Simplicity. Yes! Yet with it there is complexity. The many and varied things which touch the life, and which seek to influence the man of faith. Pressures which insist on intruding.

So often this complexity results in personal perplexity. There are inescapable experiences of grief. Situations in which the person of faith is really hurt. Inevitable hurt. Deeply hurt.

This was certainly the experience of Abram: The man of faith. He had to tread this difficult road. Tread it as he walked by faith in fellowship with the Lord.

It is in that relationship that we see: grieving faith. It is still faith. Genuine faith. Faith, crying out to the Lord from a heart that was so deeply hurting.

Simplicity, or, complexity. Which is it? The pilgrimage of faith is both. We see further evidence of this in the verses which are now before us.

"And He said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it."

The Lord had already come to His servant with the important assurance that Abram would have a son. That son would be his heir. Not the servant. He would have a son!

Not only would he have a son. From that one son he would have a countless number of descendants.

“Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou art able to number them: And He said unto him, So shall thy seed be!”

Abram believed God. "He believed in the Lord!" That is the simple statement of the fact. Simple yet so glorious. Abram took God at His Word. He trusted fully in the integrity of the Lord. He stood immovable on the faithfulness of the Lord.

There is a natural flow to the events which follow. Natural: to the life of faith. The Lord was patiently leading Abram. Lovingly guiding him into essential new steps in the walk of faith.

In the life and walk of faith everything begins there. Every new step is initiated by the Lord Himself, as He reveals Himself. At each new step He reveals more of Himself. More of His character. More of His love. More of His will and purpose.

James uses the expression, "With Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1: 17). There is never the slightest suggestion of any variation in the Lord. He is always the same.

Eternally: the LORD. Coming in grace to His servant. Seeking to lead His servant into the next step, of faith.

That which the Lord now reveals is not new to the Lord. It is only new to man.

This reality is very significant to the walk of faith. Faith can rest assured on two points.

First: the Lord never changes. He never varies. There is never any alteration in Him, in His nature, in His character, in His Word, or in His will.

Second. Faith continues to learn. To see more. To understand in greater measure. To comprehend greater revelations of His nature. To grasp more fully, more accurately, His Word. His will.

Faith experiences this through the enabling of the Lord. He inspires us to be able to see more. By His grace He gives us the ability to comprehend more. To grasp deeper truth about Him. It is never by our effort. Only as we respond to His initiative.

That is the challenge to faith to humbly seek to know more. To urgently and prayerfully desire more.

“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death;

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3: 10 - 12).

We are inspired by the Lord. Inspired to "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3: 14).

He inspires us. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Hebrews 13: 8).

In these words the Lord took Abram back over the years. Back to that time when He first spoke to him. When He first called him into the life of faith. Calling him to leave the familiar surroundings of the place of his birth.

These words of the Lord also include the time that Abram spent in Haran, until the death of his father, Terah. Then, the call to continue, to go all the way in faith to:

"Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee!" (Genesis 12: 1).

The man of faith is reminded to think back. To consider the events which took place during those years. To see the hand of God in his life. In each different situation the Lord was with him. It may have been a different geographic location. But in each place it was the same Lord with him.

The changing circumstances never changed this reality. The Lord of faith is ever with the man of faith. Ever fully sharing in fellowship. Ever encouraging His servant to continue to pursue the walk of faith.

Many years had passed. Abram had grown older. Even as the passing of those long years had seen many other things change.

The Lord's reason for calling Abram had not charged. The Lord's perfect purpose was still the same. Still that Abram personally choose to live the life of faith. That he continue to be committed to the walk of faith. Wanting always to be in fellowship with the Lord.

I "brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees!" That geographical change was significant. Yet the spiritual change was even more significant.

It was important that Abram walked out of Ur. That he later walked out of Haran. It was important that he walked into the land of promise. All that was important.

Yet is was far more important that he walked in faith. That he walked in fellowship with the Lord!

The Lord was focusing Abram's attention on this fact. And with that, the reality that He was still with His servant. He was still walking with Abram. Still actively seeking to strengthen and develop his faith.

That reality never varies! Never! Faith rejoices with an overflowing heart in that reality. Rejoices with joy unspeakable and full of glory!

The promise of the Lord to Abram is also the same. That never varies either.

The promise was according to the perfect will of God. It was an integral part of His total commitment. Having made His commitment to Abram, that commitment stood. He had no reason to change it. No desire to vary it. It was part of His perfect will.

The Lord graciously reminded Abram of this reality. Abram had: a place to stand! A sure foundation. The commitment of the Lord was steadfast. Immovable. Unfailing.

The Lord came to him for this reason. To assure him anew of this reality.

The Lord continues to come to us with exactly the same purpose in mind. How we must praise the Lord for this reality. All that was true for Abram is equally true for us. The promises stand! They are unchangeable. As eternally enduring as the Lord who gave them.

"And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it.?"

The initial promise of the Lord to Abram was: "Unto a land that I will show thee" (Genesis 12: I).

When they arrived in the land the Lord went further. "Unto thy seed will I give this land" (Genesis 12: 7).

Then when Lot left him to go to the plain of Jordan, the Lord added, "For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever" (Genesis 13 15).

Each time the Lord revealed more of the promise to Abram. First, "Unto a land that I will show thee!'' Then, "Unto thy seed will I give this land.” “To thee will I give it!". "To give thee this land to inherit it!"

The revelation of the Lord to Abram was progressive. As it progressed it became more personal. It also became more specific.

At this point Abram has seen both aspects of the promise. The personal and the specific. He saw the wonder of the potential of the promise as it applied to him personally.

We need to grasp what the Lord is doing here. He revealed the great potential of the promise progressively. According to the ability of the man of faith to receive it.

This fact so aptly illustrates the way the Lord continues to work. The way He deals with us. Seeking to progressively inspire and strengthen our faith. Encouraging us to go on with Him. To take each new step in fellowship with Him. Sharing more and more deeply in the life of faith.

As we respond in faith He enables us to see more. To see His leading with greater clarity. To grasp more fully all that He is seeking to accomplish.

Abram's request fits into that pattern. There is no suggestion that he doubted the Lord, or that he was uncertain about the promise.

I do believe your promise Lord. By what means shall I have it confirmed? Made actual in experience? What is your method of enabling me to "know"? To know in actual experience?

Faith confidently affirms: "I will know!" The question faith is asking is, "By what means will You enable me to know?''

This is the walk of faith! Reaching out with expectation! Yet, at the same time wondering.

This is so true of our experience of the life of faith. Expectant faith desires to know. There is nothing wrong with that.

Abram's words were spoken with deep reverence for the Lord. Those words expressed the strong affirmation of faith. He was simply stating, Lord, I am ready for this next step! How do I go about taking this step in faith?

"And He said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtle dove, and a young pigeon."

How shall I know? Listen to the Lord! Give careful attention to His Word. The Lord always responded by speaking His Word to Abram.

It is still: Always the Word! The Lord is speaking to us today. Those who really do want to know are listening carefully. Giving the most diligent attention to the Word of the Lord. Studying His Word carefully. Wanting to clearly understand just what He requires.

This was an obvious demand for a sacrifice. Yet not a sacrifice as it was normally understood. The differences from the usual sacrifices - burnt offerings - were quite marked.

There is no reference to an altar. There is no suggestion of a fire to offer a burnt sacrifice.

Abram could have assumed that this was to be a usual sacrifice. He could have hurried to obey according to the usual practices. Not waiting to make sure that he really did understand, or that he really heard what the Lord was saying. If he had done so, he would have been wrong.

He listened carefully, so very attentively. He heard exactly what the Lord said to him.

It is at this point that so many make mistakes today. We are much too prone to assume things, rather than really listening attentively. We are in too much of a hurry to get on with it. To get it over with.

On the basis of our assumptions we rush ahead. Only to then wonder why things so often go wrong. We really have not listened to the Lord. Therefore we have not obeyed Him. The simple truth is that we have failed to honor Him.

The Lord did make clear to Abram all that He required. He left nothing to guesswork. Abram could be quite sure that he really did understand.

The Lord always does that. Patiently, lovingly, and carefully. He thoroughly explains. He makes His will clear and plain. He does so in a way which we can fully understand. If only we will patiently listen to Him.

“Be still, and know that I am God.”(Psalm 46: 10). How we need to practice that daily. Be still. Listen carefully. Let the Lord explain His requirements to us. Be willing for Him to treat us as little children. Children who really do need everything to be made very simple.

This was the requirement set by the Lord. How shall I know? That was the question Abram asked. Do exactly what the Lord has told you to do.

"And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one over against another: but the birds he divided not.”

How shall I know? The Lord had answered him. The Lord required this sacrifice. In faith Abram had sought these directions. In faith he obeyed.

This was a practice which was used in establishing a covenant. Normally it would be two men who were involved.

One of the two would provide the animals. Divide them. Lay them on the ground in the required way. This meant that there was one row of half animals on one side. The other half animals were place in a row on the other side. There was a path between the two rows. This was an accepted way of offering a covenant.

The other person would then walk down that path, walking between the two rows of animals. That was his act of confirmation. His statement that he accepted the covenant.

Abram fulfilled the role of the first person. He provided and prepared the animals. This was his statement of his desire to enter into covenant.

The other party was the Lord. It was the Lord who would confirm His acceptance of the covenant offered by Abram.

Abram had demonstrated that he was fully committed. In faith he fully obeyed the Lord. The Lord has stated that this was "how?" he would "know"! He did all that was required.

The person today who wants to "know" also obeys. Faithfully carrying out all that the Lord requires.

There are those who claim that they want to "know". Yet they are reluctant to obey. They are too slow to pay the price of sacrificial obedience. Or they want to modify the Lord's requirements. Make those requirements fit their particular desires. Such an attitude is doomed to total failure.

God reveals the requirements which He demands. The measure of commitment which He finds acceptable. He will not accept anything less. He will always pass by man's modified offerings. He will pass by the person who dares to offer such modified offerings.

Abram understood the issues. He paid the price. He made the commitment.

There, at that place of commitment, he waited. Waited on the Lord. Fully expecting His response.

"And when the fowls came down upon the carcasses, Abram drove them away."

Abram had done all that the Lord required of him. Now he must wait. He could do no more until the Lord responded. The Lord must come and confirm His acceptance of the covenant.

Yet, the Lord did not come immediately. Did Abram expect the Lord to come without delay? To confirm the covenant as soon as he offered it? The Lord did not come.

Faith must learn patience. The person of faith knows that the Lord cannot be hurried. He will not be hurried, certainly not by man. Faith waits patiently on the Lord.

Abram was confident that the Lord would come. He had done all that the Lord required. The Lord never disappoints obedient faith. The Lord would come.

The birds came! They were attracted by the carcasses of the animals. This was to be expected. They were acting according to their natural instincts. They threatened to feed on the animals offered in sacrifice.

Faith was concerned. Those animals were not offered to feed the birds. They were offered for covenant purposes. The birds must not be allowed to interfere.

"Abram drove them away!" He kept driving them away. He refused to let anything interfere with the commitment of faith to claim the covenant promise. In faith he must wait on the Lord. While he waited nothing must be allowed to touch the offering. Nothing

There are so many who come to the place of commitment. They profess to be totally sincere. They bring all that the Lord requires. They lay it out for Him. And then?

Then - the zeal of their commitment begins to languish. The response of faith wanes. The patience of the person diminishes. They no longer wait on the Lord's response.

The birds come! The birds of compromise. Of worldliness. Of carnality. The flesh.

No one is protecting the sacrifice. No one drives the birds away. The offering is attacked. Scattered. Defiled. It is no longer witness to a genuine commitment. Rather now it is a witness to the faith that does not persevere. The faith which is all too quickly distracted.

The end result: The Lord does not come. The Lord does not respond to such commitment. He is left with nothing to respond to. Nothing!

Genuine faith stands guard. It is deeply concerned. It really does mean business with God. The world, the flesh, and the devil can send their birds. Great flocks of vultures. The vultures of compromise. Of worldliness.

Faith stands guard! Faith continues to drive all the birds away. It refuses to let them land. They cannot touch the offering.

That is real faith. Waiting patiently on God. Faith that is both patient and active. Content to wait on God. Yet determined that the offering will remain to be all that God requires.

"And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell on him!"

Abram waited for the Lord to come. He greatly desired the Lord to come. Yet he probably had little idea of what would happen when the Lord did come.

Again, that is so true to our experience. We may have pre_conceived ideas as to what it will mean. Vague thoughts. Somewhat indistinct and confused.

Then He comes, and it is in a way that we never imagined. It is so totally different from all of our vague anticipations.

As the sun was setting: A deep sleep. In that: a horror of great darkness!

Abram's experience was so awesome. Our words prove totally incapable of describing it: A horror of great darkness!

How can the infinitely pure God approach sinful man? How can the perfectly holy God reveal Himself? Particularly to man who knows only this totally unholy world?

The darkness was the shadow of the hand of God covering Abram, to protect him from the white hot purity of God's self-revelation. The darkness was an expression of both grace and glory!

That was an awesome confrontation. It was an expression of amazing grace. The darkness covered the man so that the infinite purity of God would not destroy him. The sense of the horror of that great darkness was so totally real. It was the deep sense of man's utter unworthiness.

There is one thing which we can be quite sure about. Abram knew that God had come. That he actually was in the presence of the infinitely holy God!

We today could profit greatly from such an experience, from such an awe-inspiring invasion. We so desperately need it. We so urgently need the shattering experience of the horror of great darkness. People today have no sense of awe even when they speak of God. No sense of the great horror of their sin. Christians seem to be oblivious to the holiness of God.

Everything is so completely shallow, so superficial. There are expressions of crass familiarity. As though we can claim God as our "buddy"! There is total ignorance of His infinite holiness. People do not want to know!

There is no conception that: "Our God is a consuming fire!"(Hebrews 12: 29). The result is an experience devoid of life. Denied power. Destined to be empty and futile to the end.

Abram refused to be satisfied with anything like that. He wanted more. He wanted Reality! He wanted God! Whatever it may cost him: He wanted God!

Faith always wants more. Faith demands Reality. Faith will be satisfied with nothing less than: God! Even though His coming involves: The horror of great darkness"!

The message which God brought must have surprised Abram. Abram by faith held to the promise. "Unto thy seed will I give this land."

But this appears to be different. "Know for a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not their's, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years.

Exiles! In servitude! Afflicted for centuries! That was not the message which Abram expected. Would he have been so persistent if he had known this?

That was not the issue for Abram. We today find it too easy to respond in such a manner. "If I had known where this was leading!” That is not faith. Faith quietly walks with God.

Abram held on in persistent faith. The Lord came to him. Spoke to him. Faith humbly listens to the Lord. Faith does not pretend to have all the answers. Faith does have the only answer that matters: God!

But more! The assurance that God was still in control. God was still personally involved. He was continuing to faithfully work His purposes out.

The exile is not the issue. Neither is the servitude. Nor the affliction.

There is only one issue to faith. God still retains total control. God is still working His purposes out. He will do it in His own way. In His own time. Faith humbly accepts that.

Then the Lord had a personal word of assurance for Abram. "And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age."

The gracious assurance of the Lord was so freely given to the man of faith. His personal future was secure. He could live in peace. Content in the Word of God.

And his seed? They too were secure in the sovereign love of God. The Lord knew exactly what He was doing. He knew why He was doing it.

Abram was content. Faith is content with the Word of the Lord. With the assurance of His promise.

He did not have all the answers. He did not need all the answers. He had the Lord. He had the Word of the Lord. Faith was satisfied to rest in that reality.

Faith still does not demand to have all the answers. Humanity does. That is why humanity is so dissatisfied. Faith is content that the Lord Himself comes. That He speaks. Faith is quietly satisfied with His assurance

The animals lay on the ground, divided, with the path between the two sets of halves.

"And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces!”

Abram had waited for this moment in humble expectant faith. He believed the Lord would come to him. That He would honor the covenant sought. Abram could not know how the Lord would come!

"A smoking furnace, and a burning lamp!" The Lord has come! The Lord has honored His servant's faith.

He is infinite purity. Perfect holiness. "Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with the everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously!" (Isaiah 33: 14, 15).

The Lord came: In His infinite purity. In all His perfect Holiness. “The everlasting burnings!” He came! To confirm the covenant with Abram.

Abram "believed in the LORD, and He counted it to him for righteousness." God says that he is righteous. He can dwell with the everlasting burnings! It was God who gave witness to His acceptance of His servant!

Yet remember. "Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;"

"But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead" (Romans 4: 23, 24).

For us also! God really does want us to believe that! He desires us to have that closer walk with Him. He encourages us to actively seek the fullness of the covenant with Him. To humbly, yet boldly claim it by faith!

This is what the Lord still requires. Meet Him at the place of covenant sacrifice. Come to follow implicitly His Word. Come in humble faith. Come with the determination to wait on Him. Protect the sacrifice. Keep the birds away.