Strangers [Devotional]

Devotions ChopChop ^ | March 27, 2009 | Dave Miller (tenger)

[tenger]

By faith he [Abraham] made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. Hebrews 11:9

God clearly told Abraham to go to a foreign land. Everything about this new land was different for Abraham and his family. It took a long time to understand the culture and the ways of the people living there. When he was new to the land, everything was peculiar. Not bad necessarily, but different.

Like many of you reading this, I have lived overseas on occasion. It took some time to get used to how people did things. Then the strange and odd become normal and accepted. When I returned "home" I did little things that people questioned - the exact same things I thought were odd when I was first in the country.

As Christians, we have different values and beliefs than "the world." Often what is wrong is right, and what is right is wrong in many eyes. Up is down and down is up. We scratch our heads that so many people could believe it as such. Over the last decade or two, more and more things have become acceptable in the eyes of the world. Sadly, wanting to fit in and not make waves, many Christians have gradually accepted these values as part of their own.

But all is not lost. Many believers are resisting the allure of sin that has overtaken society. They are taking a stance against grievous evils. Many are sounding the "danger" alarm. As the world becomes more and more hostile towards Christianity, we will need to make some tough life or death choices (mainly our own). I don't mean to sound alarmist but I see what's coming and it isn't pretty.

But God, who is faithful and merciful, will give us the words to say and actions to perform at that time.

[plsjr]

... and regardless of the outcome here in the “prince of the air”’s world, remember that “His will be done”. You are part of His plan and will be blessed beyond your imagining for your trust and faith.

Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.