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From Eternity Past
Then “the Lord appeared unto Abram and said, Unto thy seed will
I give this land.” His faith was strengthened by this assurance. “And
there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.” Still
a wayfarer, he soon removed to a spot near Bethel and again erected
an altar and called upon the name of the Lord.
Abraham set us a worthy example. His was a life of prayer. Wher-
ever he pitched his tent, close beside was set up his altar, calling all
within his encampment to the morning and evening sacrifice. When
his tent was removed, the altar remained. Roving Canaanites received
instruction from Abraham, and wherever one of these came to that
altar, he there worshiped the living God.
Why God Permitted Abraham to Suffer Famine
Abraham continued to journey southward, and again his faith was
tested. The heavens withheld their rain, and the flocks and herds found
no pasture. Starvation threatened the whole encampment. All were
eagerly watching to see what Abraham would do, as trouble after
trouble came. So long as his confidence appeared unshaken, they felt
that there was hope; they were assured that God was his friend and
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that He was still guiding him.
Abraham held fast the promise, “I will bless thee, and make thy
name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.” He would not allow circum-
stances to shake his faith in God’s word. To escape the famine he went
down to Egypt. He did not in his extremity turn back to the Chaldean
land from which he came, but sought a temporary refuge as near as
possible to the Land of Promise.
The Lord in His providence had brought this trial upon Abraham
to teach him lessons for the benefit of all who should afterward be
called to endure affliction. God does not forget or cast off those who
put their trust in Him. The trials that task 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 experience the peace which
He will give us in exchange.
It is in the heat of the furnace that the dross is separated from the
true gold of Christian character. By close, testing trials God disciplines
His servants. He sees that some have powers which may be used in
the advancement of His work. In His providence He brings them