Scripture:
Genesis 11:27-32 “This is the account of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot. While his father Terah was still alive, Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, in the land of his birth..........and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there. Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran.”
Observation:
Haran one Terah’ three sons died. Maybe Haran was still relatively young when he died? We don’t know how but Terah decided to take his grandson under his wings along with Abram and his wife. Terah felt led to leave Ur and travel to Canaan. This was not a light decision by any means. From reading the scripture and the accounts of Abram later on I am led to believe that in some way Terah felt a divine destiny and call to Canaan, hence such a decision to travel. But the death of his son Haran seemed to way heavy on his heart. His loss so much occupied his heart that his ability to hear and keep the divine whispers of God’s leading in focused was diminished. In the end when he came to a town name Haran the same as his sons name (or was it named after his son for some reason, or did Terah build up the town and named it Haran after his son?) he settled there and didn’t go on to where he initially set out for, the vision and dream of Canaan. His inability to get over his loss and grief stopped him from reaching the dream and destiny for his life. He got stuck in the pain and joys of the past, stuck at Haran. But God’s will and purpose continues on through his Son Abram as we see later.
Application:
All of us are susceptible to getting stuck in the pain, loss and even joys of the past. If we let them take our hearts we can diminish the voice of God leading us to his purposes and dream for us. Sadly we can even get stuck, never to reach our land of promise and fulfil our potential destiny. Maybe even blame or be disappointed in God for the pain or loss. But I need to be aware of how the past can rob me of truly living in the present and the potential future that God has for me. I have to let go of the past, live in the present and grab hold of my future – God’s vision and calling.
Prayer:
Lord God, may my heart never be so filled with loss, grief or pain that I lose sight of your vision for my life. May I not get stuck in either the joy or disappointment of yesterday, whereby I settle in such familiarity. Help me my shepherd to hear your voice clearly calling me forward into greater promise. May you continue with me until I reach the fullness of all you dreamed of me and my purpose for being, noting more and noting less. Your will be done in my life completely, may I truly become perfect - mature in Christ, Amen.
