Monday, March 10, 2025  

Today's Scripture
Genesis 11:31–12:3

Terah took his son Abram and his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, his son Abram’s wife, and they went out together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan; but when they came to Haran, they settled there. The days of Terah were two hundred five years; and Terah died in Haran.

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (NRSV)

Reflection

Today’s scripture recounts the divine disruption we remember as God’s call of Abram. It was a significant turning point in the trajectory of God’s dealings with humankind that started with a single step in the direction of obedience.

Considering great heroes of faith, it seems great moments of faith are often epiphenomenal to a steady walk with the Lord — one step after another — adding virtue to faith, along with knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, mutual affection, and love (2 Peter 1:5–7). Great feats of faith seemingly boil down to ordinary obedience in extraordinary circumstances.

For many, Eric Liddell’s Olympic victory, memorialized in the 1981 biopic Chariots of Fire, was far eclipsed by his subsequent missionary career in China and the daily witness of his love and concern for a people not his own during a time of inconceivable atrocities. He died a prisoner at Weihsien Internment Camp eighty years ago. In The Disciplines of the Christian Life (pp. 39, 47), he wrote:

“Remember your duty today is to witness for God, by example, character, in the home, at your work, and in your spare time. … Be alert to pass on any message that would help or cheer another. You have prayed, ‘Thy kingdom come.’ How are you going to help God answer that prayer?

“The outcome of the prayer time should be action. You should have some definite, concrete work to do. Often the actions are small, but they demand some sacrifice of time, or test your patience and love. Do them.”  

Prayer
Dear God, thank you for calling us out of darkness and into your marvelous light. Please make us worthy of your calling, fulfilling our every resolve for good and work of faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Written by Jeanette Chung, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church  

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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