Coming Back Home

Abraham left the Promised Land because of a famine and went down to Egypt. He didn’t consult the Lord regarding this decision.  During his disobedient sojourn he had made a serious mess of things.  He lied and said that his wife Sarah was his sister in order to protect himself.  Pharoah took his wife and added her to his harem.  Beside hurting his wife, Abraham could have endangered the glorious plans that God had for his life. God had to intervene for Abraham by causing disease in the house of Pharaoh.  Humiliated, whipped and chastened, Abraham makes his way back to the Promised Land.  Back home again, Abraham restores his fellowship with the Lord.

Have you ever pulled an Abraham?  Perhaps you have made a decision that seems to be logical and profitable, but not biblical.  Maybe you have gone down to Egypt to make money or to live it up only to discover that you also have made a mess of things.  If you are one of the Lord’s children, He loves you dearly and will intervene on your behalf.  Has the Lord ever had to rescue you?  Pull you out of the fire, lift you out of the pit, or deliver you from Pharaoh?  God will do whatever is necessary to chasten one of His dear ones.  The Bible tells us in Heb. 12:6: “For whom the LORD loves He chastens and scourges every son whom He receives". 

I noticed that in Egypt Abraham did not build an altar.  He did not pray and he didn’t receive the Lord’s blessings. God’s people are meant to dwell in the Promised Land instead of sojourning in Egypt.  Perhaps the Lord is calling you to come back to Himself.  He longs to restore the broken relationship and pour out His blessing on your life.  The hymnwriter William J. Kirkpatrick captures this need in the first line of his song: “Lord, I’m Coming Home”.  I’ve wandered far away from God, now I’m coming home.  The paths of sin too long I’ve trod, Lord I’m coming home.  Coming home, coming home, never more to roam, open wide Thine arms of love, Lord, I’m coming home.