Chasing the Vultures...

I've been thinking a lot lately about sacrifice and trust, especially as it relates to the future- the unknown. It seems that God usually gives me just enough information to spark my faith so I can trust Him for the next step, but He doesn't lay out all of the details until after I've sacrificed something. That may be my prayers, my time, my attention, or even something physical in the form of fasting.

I was encouraged one day to see that this also happened to Abram (Abraham) in Genesis 15. God told him that He'd bless Abram's offspring, creating a nation so numerous they would outnumber the stars in the sky- not only that, but He'd give him the land of Canaan, too. Abram believed God, but still asked (as I've done SO many times), "O Sovereign Lord, how can I be sure that I will actually possess it?” (Genesis 15:9) I don't believe Abram was asking God this question in unbelief, but rather innocent curiosity. He didn't have a son. How might this happen? How would it work? What was God going to do??

Instead of answering Abram's question, God tested his faith. He asked Abram to make a sacrifice. Abram gathered the animals God requested and here's what happened:

"So Abram presented all these to him and killed them. Then he cut each animal down the middle and laid the halves side by side; he did not, however, cut the birds in half." Genesis 15:10

Way to go, Abram! He wanted an answer, so he prepared a sacrifice. Now, check out what happened in the next verse:

 "Some vultures swooped down to eat the carcasses, but Abram chased them away." Genesis 15:11

Wow.

As Abram waited for God to receive an answer, some vultures swooped down and tried to eat up his sacrifice. They were trying to destroy the physical act of Abram's faith in a hellish attempt to discourage Abram from believing that God would show up at all, much less follow through on His promise.

Ever been there? Ever thought: "Why am I spending so much time praying about this? Is God even hearing me?" Or how about, "Why am I giving up my own personal time to read the Bible? I could be on Pinterest right now! Will this time really be different than any other?"

I've been there. I regret to say that I'm guilty of stopping the prayers, closing the Bible, and walking away in unbelief and discouragement... but Abram chased them away.

We all sacrifice something when we're walking in a relationship with God. Are you giving up sleep so you can get up early enough to spend time with God? How about your time? Your money? Don't give up. Are you still waiting for God to respond? Does it seem as if He hasn't even noticed anything that you're doing? Don't give up.

Guard your sacrifice.

The devil would love nothing more than for the vultures of discouragement, doubt, fear and apathy to gobble up your sacrifice before God. I'll say it again: guard your sacrifice. Abram chased away the vultures, and in the next verse God came over him with a powerful vision. He then showed Abram a miraculous sign that confirmed the covenant He had made. The vultures you're chasing away may very well be a test of your faith; and we know from James 1:3 that when our faith is tested it produces perseverance in us.

And one more thing. Vultures are not little pests. They're big. They're ugly. They keep coming back and coming back until they are defeated or find something else to devour. A little swat of the hand will not shoo these bad boys away. The Bible clearly shows us what we are to do:

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." -Eph 6:10-13

So stand firm. If some of your sacrifice has been eaten up already, present whatever you have to the Lord. Repent and seek Him through it as a child seeks the face of her father. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9. Above all else, remember that God loves you. He is with you through this long stretch and will help you through to the end.

May God bless you today with endurance, vision and a sweet taste of His presence.