And Terah took his son Abram and his grandson Lot...and Abram’s wife, and they went out with them from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan; and they came to Haran and dwelt there....Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.”
— Genesis 11:31, 12:1
DESIRING AN INTIMATE relationship with Abram, God called him to do three things: leave the place of idolatry, leave his family, and go to the land God would show him. But Abram did not fully obey. He left Ur with both his father and his nephew and failed to go directly to Canaan. Also, they stayed within the border of the Babylonian plain—still within the land he was to leave.
HALFWAY OBEDIENCE IS DISOBEDIENCE, AND IT BRINGS TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES.
God remained silent while Abram dwelt in Haran and didn’t speak again until Abram reached Canaan. In his disobedience, Abram lost the privilege of close communion with God.
What about you? Are you living in Haran? Have you stopped short of full obedience? Have you compromised? Are you holding on to old habits? God is calling you today to deny yourself, shun evil, take up your cross, and follow Jesus. He is calling you to a place of blessing, a place of promise, a place of communion and intimate relationship—because He loves you.
Father, we pray that as Your Holy Spirit leads us along Your path, we wouldn’t stop short of that which You desire for us. In obedience, Lord, may we take up our cross—no matter what the cost.
Amen.