Basic HTML Version
Abraham, the Father of All Believers
73
Then “the Lord appeared to Abram and said, ‘To your descen-
dants I will give this land.’” His faith was strengthened by this
assurance. “And there he built an altar to the Lord, who had ap-
peared to him.” Still a traveler, he soon journeyed to a spot near
Bethel and again built an altar and called on the name of the Lord.
Abraham set us a worthy example. His was a life of prayer.
Wherever he pitched his tent, close beside he set up his altar, calling
everyone in his camp to the morning and evening sacrifice. When
he moved away, the altar remained. Roving Canaanites were taught
by Abraham, and wherever any of these came to that altar, they
worshiped the living God there.
Why God Permitted Abraham to Suffer Famine
Abraham continued to travel southward, and again his faith was
tested. The heavens withheld their rain, and the flocks and herds
found no pasture. Starvation threatened the whole camp. Everyone
was eagerly watching to see what Abraham would do, as trouble
[54]
after trouble came. As long as his confidence appeared unshaken,
they felt that there was hope; they were assured that God was his
friend and that He was still guiding him.
Abraham clung to the promise, “I will bless you and make your
name great; and you shall be a blessing.” He would not allow cir-
cumstances to shake his faith in God’s word. He went down to Egypt
to escape the famine. In his great trouble he did not turn back to
the Chaldean land from which he came, but looked for a temporary
home as near as possible to the Land of Promise.
The Lord in His wisdom had brought this trial on Abraham to
teach him lessons for the benefit of everyone after him who would be
called to endure affliction. God does not forget or cast off those who
put their trust in Him. The trials that test our faith most severely and
make it seem that God has forsaken us are to lead us closer to Christ.
We may lay all our burdens at His feet and in exchange experience
the peace that He will give us.
The heat of the furnace is what separates the dross from the true
gold of Christian character. By difficult, testing trials God disciplines
His servants. He sees that some have powers that may be used in the
advancement of His work and in His wisdom He brings them into