Genesis 18:17-19 Then God said, “Shall I keep back from Abraham what I’m about to do? Abraham is going to become a large and strong nation; all the nations of the world are going to find themselves blessed through him. Yes, I’ve settled on him as the one to train his children and future family to observe God’s way of life, live kindly and generously and fairly, so that God can complete in Abraham what he promised him.”

Living close to God, doing His will, sometimes living upstream because God expects it, is not always easy. But as they say, the benefits are out of this world! It is well worth the effort.

This reminds me of Eric Liddell, the famous Scottish athlete whose life was depicted in the movie Chariots of Fire. He competed in the 1924 Olympics in Paris. His best event was the 100- meter sprint. However, after discovering the event would take place on a Sunday, he declined to participate out of reverence for the Lord’s Day.

The world laughed at him. He was kicked off the team, condemned in the newspapers, and even his own country felt he had thrown away his chance at gold. But Eric stood firm. God gave him the talent to run, and he refused to dishonour Him by competing on His holy day.

Instead of the 100 meters, he ran the 400 meters, an event he hadn’t even trained for. He won the gold medal and set a world record! He later became a missionary in China, where he served people and taught children.

Eric was like Abraham. Both were special messengers with a special message for the people around them. They walked closely to the Lord, striving with all their might to honour His calling.  They never wavered from what they knew to be right, acting with bold integrity in all things.

And you and me? May we walk with God every day in such a way that His voice moves us to intercession, obedience and actions that make His heart visible in a world that needs Him so much. We struggle to get it right, but maybe we simply need to start during our quiet time with God to build the foundation of our relationship with God deliberately. I suspect the rest will follow.

Prayer
Father, I long for an intimate relationship with You in which I can learn to hear what You ask of me, and to have the courage to respond to it. I really want to …

Questions
Where do you live today, close enough to hear?
What is the right thing, even if it costs you something?
How do you shape your home according to God’s ways?

Do this now
Start your day in silence and ask for God’s wisdom to know what is right today and for the courage to do it.
Be obedient in something small today – follow that still, small voice of the Spirit, even if you don’t see the whole picture.
Think back on your day tonight and ask: “Lord, where did I hear Your voice, and how can I live even closer to You tomorrow?