A Better Perspective

A Better Perspective

Genesis 12:1-9

Chapter 12 officially begins Abraham’s epic story.

What we will see in this passage is that my perspective of every situation will either encourage or dishearten my trust in God.

He receives a blessing directly from God. He is promised a legacy, a family, and a meaningful purpose.

Verses 4ff As the verses continue, we see Abraham traveling, adhering to God’s direction to “go,” and confidently walking through expansive areas of the land he has been promised.

To outsiders, Abraham probably looked like another aimless wanderer.

Verse 5-6 He had a fair amount of possessions and people with him, but he had no claim on the land he was traveling through.

To God and Abraham, he was beginning the journey of purpose, catching a glimpse of the promises God said He was going to fulfill.

Here, perspective is everything.

Abraham keeps his focus on the Lord…

Obediently leaving

Building an altar

Again, to those around Abraham he’s just another guy

Like Paul on Mar’s Hill…he was just another voice

We can get distracted by the thought that we are just another voice in the crowd

But God put is where we are for a purpose...

He chose you to have a voice with certain individual

He brings you specifically into the lives of the people you meet

You are just another voice in the crowd

But you are a voice with a purpose

There have been men like Peter, Spurgeon, Billy Graham that reached multitudes at a time

But what is Gods normal way of reaching people

With you and me....one person at a time

You may not be evangelizing crowds at a time but the reality is that you can reach that crowd but you most likely will do it one person or one family at a time

If we are unclear about what God is doing in our lives (which is usually the case) we can fall prey to the outsider’s view of the situation.

How did I get here?

When is God going to do something?

When we find ourselves stuck in situations like these, it’s a good idea to go back and read about the lives of the great men and women who came before us, like Abraham – who walked through a land he did not own but was promised, and loved a woman who could not conceive, and trusted a God who would not hurry.

You might feel lost or stuck, but you are not.

God always fulfills his promises.

He always does what is best for His children.

And He always does so according to His own perfect timeline.

Take Abraham’s view and choose to remember that God is at work, that you matter to Him, and that you are not just wandering.

Takeaway: My perspective of every situation will either encourage or dishearten my trust in God.

Prayer: Help me to see that You are at work, Lord. Give me the right perspective, so that I can have peace and confidence in Your promises.