JANUARY 6

The story of Abraham is the beginning of the saga of Israel’s divine destiny. His story relates to you, as you will see during the next few devotional readings that are centered on this man. Abraham’s story is recorded in Genesis chapters 11-25.

Abram–as he was first called–lived with his family in a city called Ur in ancient Babylon. He was the son of Terah and married to a woman named Sarai. She was barren, and they had no children.

And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there. And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran. (Genesis 11:31-32)

Terah, Abram’s father, took his family and left Ur for Canaan. We are not told how Terah received the idea of going to the land of Canaan, but somehow he envisioned a better place for his family than the evil environment in which they were living. But the family never made it to Canaan during Terah’s lifetime. What hindered their vision from becoming a reality? What aborted their divine destiny? Two major factors emerge, hindrances that we must avoid as we pursue our own destinies.

First, they settled where they were. On their way to Canaan, the family came to the city of Haran which was a junction for three major caravan routes and consequently a great commercial emporium. It was easier to settle here in a prosperous city than continue on into the unknown. Second, they served other gods. Joshua reveals this fact in his final message to the Israelites (Joshua 24:2). We are not told what gods they served, but it is likely that they embraced the idolatrous ways of the people among whom they lived.

As you journey towards your divine destiny, you, too may be tempted to settle down.  It might be easier to remain where you are than to move across the country or around the world to fulfill God’s call. You may be comfortable in your present environment. You may be tempted by the “idols” of this world–a good job, a career path, material, possessions, etc. But if you remain where you are, you may die without fulfilling your vision.

Terah died in Haran. He never fulfilled his dream. He never reached Canaan. You may remain secure where you are, surrounded by what you know, enjoy, and love. But you will die spiritually if you remain where you are and do not pursue your divine destiny.

Do not live the “settled for” life.