Author Darlene J. Conard

Abram stood firm in the golden light of dawn, his arms outstretched like a protective barrier as he shooed away the circling birds that swooped down with greedy hunger. Each flap of their wings filled the air with a chorus of rustling, yet he remained undiscouraged, determined to safeguard his carefully arranged offering from their pecking beaks.

With unwavering faith pulsing through his veins, he precisely gathered each requirement God asked for the sacrifice.  A sense of purpose fueled him as he worked, pushing back against the creeping fatigue that may threaten to cloud his thoughts and compromise his focus. Each breath was a testament to his devotion, and with each gathered item, he felt a deeper connection to the sacred ritual ahead.

“I will say of the Lord, he is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” (Psalm 91:2-3)

Abram sought guidance from God, the Higher Power, and found the answers he needed by talking to God rather than waiting to receive messages. His journey illustrates that seeking answers requires action and commitment. In our pursuit of understanding from God, we must be vigilant in safeguarding our sacrifices, recognizing that actual growth often involves making difficult choices. This means consciously choosing the path of victory over the temptation of defeat and embracing the challenges that come with faith and perseverance. Doing so opens us to the profound clarity and direction that can lead us to fulfillment.

And he said unto him, “I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.”

… “Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?” And he said unto him, “Take me a heifer of three years old, and she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtle dove, and a young pigeon.  … he took unto him all these things, divide them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds he divided not.  … “When the fowls came down upon the carcasses, Abram drove them away.  (Genesis 15:7-11)

Abram demonstrated unwavering determination by refusing to let the birds of prey snatch away the offerings he had meticulously prepared for God. He understood the significance of his efforts and recognized that something profound awaited him at the altar. In our own lives, we, too, must be vigilant against the subtle threats that seek to undermine our spiritual devotion. The adversary, represented as a relentless force, actively seeks to rob us of our offerings—those heartfelt sacrifices and expressions of praise we present to the Divine.

This notion of “noisome pestilence” symbolizes those distractions and discouragements that can wear us down, causing us to lose focus and diminish our steadfastness. It is critical to actively combat these negative influences and assertively drive away the enemy, ensuring he is denied access to our sacred acts of worship. By standing firm and protecting our sacrifices, we reinforce the importance of fully dedicating our hearts and voices to praise, safeguarding the treasures that we offer to God.

Hold firm in your determination, and express your heartfelt gratitude and admiration. At the heart of this unwavering stance lies a powerful promise!

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