July 24, 2001

Not only do we need to be willing to go where God wants us to go, but we must also be willing to leave what He wants us to leave.  Abram had to leave his country, kindred and father’s house to go to a place he didn’t even know yet.  First God told him to leave where he was and then He would show him where he was going.

Sometimes God will tell us to leave something and He doesn’t yet show us where exactly we’re going (or how exactly to get there).  He just says to leave where we are and follow Him.  Not only Abram, but the Israelites also had to be willing to leave the wilderness in order to enter into the Promised Land.  Jesus’ disciples left all and followed Him.

The commitment to leave as well as the commitment to go shows our total dependence and trust that our Heavenly Father will lead us to a good place— into the green pastures and beside the still waters (Psalm 23:2).

The Lord promised Abram He’d make a great nation of him, that He’d bless him, make his name great and that he’d be a blessing to others.  When we do what God calls us to do, leave what He wants us to leave and go where He wants us to go, we’ll be blessed by Him!  If we’re going to receive the command to leave, we also need to receive the blessing that comes along with it!