When no one else was...
Illustration
Object:
When no one else was tuned in to God, Abraham was tuned in. When no one else was
hungering and thirsting for righteousness, Abraham was. At a time when there were
many idols, Abraham heard the still small voice of God calling to him. Verse 4 of
Genesis 12 says it well: "So Abram went as the Lord had told him." And as Psalm 96
tells, "For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens." From this
array of false gods Abraham was in tune with the one true and living God.
"Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength" (Psalm 96:7). When there seemed to be little reason to praise God, Abram and those with him came with praise that was noticed by neighbors.
We can learn about a strange but wonderful tradition of forest people. When the pygmies of the forest faced great needs from drought, or other natural disasters, they would get out a special instrument set aside to use for singing praise. Instead of having some strange ritual of sacrifice, their custom was to sing to the forest. The forest would be awakened and would produce the needed warmth, or rain, or whatever. When they faced their greatest need, that was the time for the most splendid praise. With the forest awakened, the needed gifts from nature would be available.
"Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength" (Psalm 96:7). When there seemed to be little reason to praise God, Abram and those with him came with praise that was noticed by neighbors.
We can learn about a strange but wonderful tradition of forest people. When the pygmies of the forest faced great needs from drought, or other natural disasters, they would get out a special instrument set aside to use for singing praise. Instead of having some strange ritual of sacrifice, their custom was to sing to the forest. The forest would be awakened and would produce the needed warmth, or rain, or whatever. When they faced their greatest need, that was the time for the most splendid praise. With the forest awakened, the needed gifts from nature would be available.
