The Finisher
In Acts 7 Stephen declares:
Acts 7:2–4 (ESV) "Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3 and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ 4 Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And after his father died, God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living.
Then in Genesis 11, right before the promise to Abraham:
Genesis 11:31–32 (ESV) Terah took Abram his son and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife, and they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan, but when they came to Haran, they settled there. 32 The days of Terah were 205 years, and Terah died in Haran.
Abraham didn't obey fully at first. God had told him to leave his family BEFORE he ever got to Haran. Instead, Terah, his father made the move with Abram, went as far as a town called "Haran" and lost his son after the same name dying there. Moreover, God removed Abraham from Haran. The word for "removed" could be translated "deport". God didn't just call him, He literally transplanted Abraham.
What's the idea?
God was doing this, NOT Abraham.
Anything you see happen in Acts 7 from Stephen's speech is summed up the activity of God. History is HIS Story.
It's this kind of thing that gives me hope. For sometimes I am so weak in myself to take a step for God. Sometimes I think it's all up to me to make it happen. And sometimes I hesitate. Only later to beat myself up for not trying beforehand. But then I remember that Abraham is heralded as a father of faith but needed several shoves from God to get where God was going to put him in the long run.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 (ESV) He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
Or how about:
Philippians 1:6 (ESV) I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
&
Philippians 2:12–13 (ESV) work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
We have to work it out, yes, but God is the one working it in.
Thank God for His amazing patience with us as we doubt and dodge His call. No wonder Hebrews 12 names Him the author and PERFECTER (Finisher) of our faith.
If you are struggling with what you haven't done for God yet, if you feel like you're many steps fromw here you should be... take a moment to remember that He's going to work on you until it comes to pass. And He's incredibly patient as well.
God is faithful to complete what He started in you. Even when you hesitate in Haran.
PRAYER:
Father, I thank you for this wonderful hope. I know I have a long way to go but I thank You for being there every step of the way. Thank You for Your patience and compassion toward me. I want to forever live in gratitude that YOU are the One who makes me anything I ever am.
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