The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.”
Early in the Old Testament, we are introduced to a man named Abram. What we know about his life before Genesis 12:1-3 is limited to one key fact: his family worshipped the gods of their time. That’s it.
Scholars speculate that his family was nomadic, traveling from one market to another, possibly wealthy from selling their wares. It was a peculiar place to find the person on whom the plan of God depended. God faced Abram’s close family structure, superstitious beliefs in multiple gods, and nomadic lifestyle.
Abram’s preparation to be God’s chosen conduit began when God told him to leave his family, profession, and homeland for an unknown destination. It was a significant request from God, but it was the first step in Abram’s preparation—requiring absolute trust in a God he had never worshipped before.
Abram’s trust in God grew as he boldly engaged with God. His negotiating with God over the future of Sodom and Gomorrah further increased his faith. The Old Testament narrative about Abram details more such faith-building encounters: participating in an ancient covenant ceremony with God, witnessing God’s integrity regarding that covenant, and learning to trust God implicitly concerning the future of his only son, Isaac.
That is how God prepares us—by taking us into deep experiences of faith, stretching our trust and optimism. Lent is an excellent opportunity to reflect on where we place our confidence—in God or in ourselves. Abram chose God.
Prayer: O God of the nomad, please go with us as you did with Abram. Remind us of the future and present of your promise, and may we, like Abram, be prepared as we join you in its fulfillment. Give us the strength to persevere, even when it is difficult. In your name, we pray. Amen.