Looking Up
Looking up
Jerry and I spent a few days on the Oregon coast this last week. It was a trip we'd planned some time ago. We enjoy van camping because it allows us some liberty in where we park for the night. I usually like to park somewhere so when we throw open the doors in the morning we can see the ocean waves. Knowing we have a gorgeous view awaiting us in the morning brings a simple joy to my soul.
I imagine the folks who tucked away a few nights at church camp were the same - wanting to unzip their tents to a beautiful view. Being surrounded by nature and God’s family, it would not matter which way you pitched your tent, you could open it up to see God’s glory. Being in the family of God is so encouraging and strengthening.
I was reminded today, while Les was preaching about Abraham and about pitching tents. Abraham obeyed God’s call to remove himself from everything that was familiar. He left his home, most of his family and his family’s religion to go in search of what God had for him. He left everything behind and stepped into the unknown. Abraham moved about as a nomad, pitching tents wherever the Lord led. His eyes were continually looking for that city built without hands. He never gave up.
In Genesis chapter thirteen there comes a split between Abram and Lot. The favor of the Lord had fallen on Abram and his herd as well as his servants had grown exponentially. Pretty soon the herdsmen began to argue over feeding grounds and watering holes. Abram decided the best thing was to allow for some space. He told Lot to choose.
“ Is not the whole land before thee?” he asked Lot. He then allowed Lot to choose where to go. Abram and his herds would move in a different direction. Lot looked up and saw the plains of Jordan which looked well watered and chose that spot.
Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan,
and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain,
and he pitched his tent toward Sodom.
Genesis 13:12
Lot made a huge error. He pitched his tent toward Sodom. He pitched his tent toward the temptation. He woke up looking at that evil city every morning. He likely went to bed every evening hearing the raucous sounds of the city. Before you know it, Lot was sucked in. The next scripture that mentions Lot, Genesis 14:12, reveals that he is now living in Sodom. This is a warning to us today. Whatever we set before our eyes, whatever we think will benefit us in a worldly way, will likely consume us. Lot was looking for the best, the easiest, the premier land. What he got instead was devastation.
Be careful which way you pitch your tent.
While Lot lifted up his eyes and looked for the easy path, Abraham simply obeyed God. In verse 13:14, God instructs Abraham to lift up his eyes and look around in every direction. God then makes an eternal promise to Abraham. God promises Abraham and his descendants all the land he can see. He did not promise him an easy path, a shortcut, or even an estimated time of arrival but Abraham was faithful and obedient.
Hebrews chapter 11 gives us a bit more insight as to where Abraham's eyes were fixed.
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Verse 13 is the real kicker! Read it again! Abraham’s promise was not manifested in his lifetime and yet he believed. He kept his eyes focused on knowing God. He pitched his tent, his life, his strength, his goals toward God. Keep your eyes fixed the same.
A glorious morning awaits! Soon and very soon.
Submitted by Sharlon Worley
Jerry and I spent a few days on the Oregon coast this last week. It was a trip we'd planned some time ago. We enjoy van camping because it allows us some liberty in where we park for the night. I usually like to park somewhere so when we throw open the doors in the morning we can see the ocean waves. Knowing we have a gorgeous view awaiting us in the morning brings a simple joy to my soul.
I imagine the folks who tucked away a few nights at church camp were the same - wanting to unzip their tents to a beautiful view. Being surrounded by nature and God’s family, it would not matter which way you pitched your tent, you could open it up to see God’s glory. Being in the family of God is so encouraging and strengthening.
I was reminded today, while Les was preaching about Abraham and about pitching tents. Abraham obeyed God’s call to remove himself from everything that was familiar. He left his home, most of his family and his family’s religion to go in search of what God had for him. He left everything behind and stepped into the unknown. Abraham moved about as a nomad, pitching tents wherever the Lord led. His eyes were continually looking for that city built without hands. He never gave up.
In Genesis chapter thirteen there comes a split between Abram and Lot. The favor of the Lord had fallen on Abram and his herd as well as his servants had grown exponentially. Pretty soon the herdsmen began to argue over feeding grounds and watering holes. Abram decided the best thing was to allow for some space. He told Lot to choose.
“ Is not the whole land before thee?” he asked Lot. He then allowed Lot to choose where to go. Abram and his herds would move in a different direction. Lot looked up and saw the plains of Jordan which looked well watered and chose that spot.
Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan,
and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain,
and he pitched his tent toward Sodom.
Genesis 13:12
Lot made a huge error. He pitched his tent toward Sodom. He pitched his tent toward the temptation. He woke up looking at that evil city every morning. He likely went to bed every evening hearing the raucous sounds of the city. Before you know it, Lot was sucked in. The next scripture that mentions Lot, Genesis 14:12, reveals that he is now living in Sodom. This is a warning to us today. Whatever we set before our eyes, whatever we think will benefit us in a worldly way, will likely consume us. Lot was looking for the best, the easiest, the premier land. What he got instead was devastation.
Be careful which way you pitch your tent.
While Lot lifted up his eyes and looked for the easy path, Abraham simply obeyed God. In verse 13:14, God instructs Abraham to lift up his eyes and look around in every direction. God then makes an eternal promise to Abraham. God promises Abraham and his descendants all the land he can see. He did not promise him an easy path, a shortcut, or even an estimated time of arrival but Abraham was faithful and obedient.
Hebrews chapter 11 gives us a bit more insight as to where Abraham's eyes were fixed.
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Verse 13 is the real kicker! Read it again! Abraham’s promise was not manifested in his lifetime and yet he believed. He kept his eyes focused on knowing God. He pitched his tent, his life, his strength, his goals toward God. Keep your eyes fixed the same.
A glorious morning awaits! Soon and very soon.
Submitted by Sharlon Worley
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