ABRAHAM: PROCESSED THROUGH TESTS

But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’ – Genesis 14: 22-23 (NKJV)

Life is a long series of tests, whether we realise it or not. Our manner of responding to such tests determines the place we’ll occupy in the scheme of things in God’s Kingdom. Tests are in reality God’s vote of confidence, rather a mark of divine disapproval. Ore or alloy in which is hidden precious metal must past through crushing, processing, and the refiner’s crucible to release the best in it. Abraham’s accounts depict how God’s servants are processed through tests that are progressive in both depth and intensity. The tests he encountered include: the test of kinship, worldly possessions, worldly ambition, paternal affection; and the test of the impossible, test of obedience and of faith. Let’s meditate on three of these:

Through the test of kinship, Abraham was weaned from kindred connection and dependency, as he had to part with Nephew Lot. God demanded absolute, not partial obedience: “…get out of your country, from your kindred…” (Gen.12:1b). When Abraham cooperated, God graciously provided the opportunity for this separation to occur without any rift in personal relationships (Gen.13:7-8). The friend of God must renounce friendships that could detract from and are at variance with faith in God. It was only after Lot was separated from him, and Abraham had passed this test, that God broke His silence and reopened the channel of communication, giving him fresh, destiny-defining, divine instructions (Gen.13:14-15).

The test of worldly possessions followed. Abraham had become a wealthy man with the prospect of unlimited increase. As the senior, he had every right to select the more luxuriant-looking land for himself and assign the barren heights to his nephew; but the Patriarch passed this test excellently well. Subduing his legitimate privileges and waiving his rights, he submitted to God’s will, by giving the right of selection to lustful Lot, who chose the well-watered plain of Jordan. Ultimately, Abraham’s choice enriched him immeasurably and qualified him for higher status in God’s service. Through this test, he learned the secret of transmuting the natural into the spiritual.

Abraham also overcame the test of carnal ambition. On learning that Lot and his family were captured by marauding armies, the man of faith fearlessly assembled his 318 servants and in a daring night attack, routed the unwary armies and delivered the captives and all their possessions. Conquering four kings seemed like a unique short-cut to attaining God’s promised greatness. He could seize the chance to retain all the persons and property he had captured and legally acquire more possessions. He however overcame such craving to gratify carnal ambition. He refused to capitalize on the victory which God obviously granted. He firmly renounced the prestige and possessions which were rightfully his (Gen.14:22-23).

God’s immediate response to Abraham’s demonstration of detachment from worldly ambition and devotion to Him who had now revealed Himself as the Possessor of heaven and earth, was the promise of a son (Gen.15:1,4). Beloved, let the Eternal Potter form and frame your destiny as an Overcomer over fleshly dependence, greed, and carnal ambition. You shall be greatly rewarded.