"abram"

Ok! So, I am a nerd! I guess you all need to know that about me! I love reading and researching, especially the Bible. While participating in Beth Moore's Bible Study "The Patriarchs" we looked deeply into Genesis 13 and God's promises to Abram. She pointed out something that has just blown my mind. In Genesis 13 Abram and Lot (and their respective camps) had started to disagree with one another, basically they were overcrowded. Instead of allowing the arguing to continue Abram acted quickly and wisely and suggested they separate. 

After they separated God spoke to Abram and in verse 14 God told him 'Lift your eyes NOW (emphasis mine) and look from the place where you are northward, southward, eastward, and westward; 15. for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered."

It floors me that God chose and continues to choose everyday people to do amazing feats and miracles. Abram's family were not (at that time) God followers. Abram was just another man; seems a pretty awesome promise for God to make with an ordinary man. We all know the story though, it's not news to any of us that God made a life-changing covenant with Abram. It's the wording of verse 14 that has shed new light on God and Abram's relationship.

 The New King James Version (along with the King James and others I'm sure) uses the word "now". Many other translations do not have the word "now" in the text. In Hebrew the word now is a small particle, not a big deal- but it's English translation or equivalent is "please". It means "I pray you! Now! According to Beth Moore it was used as a urgent and strong affirmation, not a plea. 

So, read Genesis 13:14 again and put the meaning of "now" in the text. It would sound something like, "Abram, I pray you lift your eyes and look from the place where you are" or (from Beth Moore) "Abram, please believe Me when I tell you to lift up your eyes and look around you. I will give this land to you and your offspring forever."

God truly wanted Abram to believe Him. He urged Abram to see the truth. God wanted Abram to understand just how deep His love was for him. He (God) did care! It still blows my mind to think that God was invested in Abram. He is invested in us. He could've done it all on His own. God could've saved Lot, He could've done everything He had Abram do- but He truly wanted Abram to do it. God wants to use us. 

God chose to create us. He chose to invest His heart, His Son, and His love in us. He wants to use us to show more people His love. God wants to fellowship with us. He wants us to believe in Him. When we don't follow His plan He hurts. No, He doesn't need us, but He wants us. Do you guys see? He does not need us to fulfill His plan, to do His work, or anything like that. He chooses to use us simply because He loves us, because He wants us to be involved in His work with Him. He wants to fellowship with us. God wants us to believe Him for no other reason but that He cherishes us and our time with Him. He is invested in us. 

I know this is longer than normal and maybe more than what you guys wanted, but God laid it on my heart so I figured I should probably share it with you!!!

hope God uses His Word to touch your hearts like He did mine!!!