Genesis 12:1-3 NKJV
“Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you…”
In the wake of so many recent natural catastrophes, many people are being forced from their homes. Hurricane Harvey, followed by Irma and Juan have brought horrific conditions to many nations in the Caribbean and in the USA. You may recall that Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and Hurricane Sandy rocked New York City. People were dislocated from their homes, many never to return. These types of natural disasters are one reason people leaving their homes.
There are many other reasons why people leave their homes. Sometimes, it can as simple as having more opportunites elsewhere. Other times it could be just looking for independence or a change.
I am convinced that there is a blessing waiting for us when we go to a new home in a new land. Whether by circumstance or decision, new beginnings brings new opportunities. In a new land, you can recreate yourself into anyone you desire. Whatever you like about yourself you can bring with you. What you don’t like, you can leave behind. It’s a new land for a new you.
When Abram (before his name was changed to Abraham) left his home in the land of Ur with his father (Genesis 11:31), he had no choice but to go. But not so with his departure from Haran. He was instructed to do so by the Lord. He had no idea where he was going or what he would find when he got there, but he knew that he was going with the blessings of God. He left with a promise; “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you…”
When he arrived in Canaan, he built an alter and there he called on the name of the Lord. Although he was in The Promised Land, he couldn’t stay long. There was a famine in the land, so he journeyed down to Egypt. There he acquired great wealth to bring back with him to the land of promise.
When he finally returned, he settled in the town of Hebron and again built an alter on which to worship the Lord. Promise-by-promise, the Lord was blessing him. He soon found that in this new land, he was home. Abram is known for his faithfulness.
It could be that the blessings awaiting you when you go to a new land are just as awesome as those that were given to Abram. He was in a new land and found a new home. Whether by circumstance or choice, will you be as faithful as Abram?
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell
Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting, and hosts “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Soul 1 Radio, Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM. Listen here or by phone at 626-226-1448. Be sure to Friend “Matters of Faith” on Facebook and email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The Book at BookBlues.com.
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