“this he replied: ‘Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran. ‘Leave your country and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.’ So he left the land of the Chaldeans, and settled in Harran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living.’”
- Acts 7:2-4 -

In this first part of his sermon, Stephen tells the story of Abraham. God intuitively acted; He appeared, spoke, sent, promised. By faith, Abraham answered God’s call. We see here God's call for us leads us an adventurous life. It contrasts our desires to cling to the past (it was the cause of conflict between the gospel and the Jews). Abraham's obedience was adventurous. Yet God was with him. He gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. And Abraham became the father of Isaac. Later Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs (7-8). God was faithful and used him as the father of faith. The life of faith is answering God's call. It is adventurous, yet He faithfully leads our life to fulfill His call. This morning, Psalm 71:18 gave me great comfort for my future life after the retirement on this October, "So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come."

Prayer: Dear Lord, the God of Abraham, we follow your call though it is adventurous. Please guide us and use us as a blessing.