In Genesis 12:1, the Lord’s command to Abram is clear and direct: “Get out of your country, from your family, and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.” This simple yet profound statement marks the beginning of one of the most significant covenants in the Bible—the Abrahamic covenant. It is also a striking reminder that connecting with God often requires stepping away from the familiar and venturing into the unknown.
Understanding Covenant and Connection
Before we can fully embrace connection with God, we must understand the foundation of covenant. In the Garden of Eden, humanity experienced perfect communion with God. Yet, sin disrupted this divine connection, leaving a void that could only be filled by God’s redemptive plan. The covenant God made with Abram was a pivotal step in restoring that connection. It was a divine promise, a sacred agreement that required obedience, faith, and trust.
Abram’s journey begins with a command to leave everything he knew—his homeland, his family, his culture. At 75 years old, this was no small request. Abram was established, successful, and deeply embedded in the traditions of his people. Yet God’s call was clear: “Get out.” This wasn’t just a geographical departure; it was a spiritual one. Abram was called to leave behind the idolatry, distractions, and comforts of his former life to step into a divine purpose.
The Cost of Obedience
Obedience often comes at a cost. Abram had to abandon his role in his father’s house, a position of significant responsibility that involved managing land, resources, and trade. He also left behind the polytheistic culture of the Chaldeans, who worshiped gods like Marduk, Nabu, and Sin—the very gods that many unknowingly idolize today through practices like astrology and materialism.
God’s command to “get out” resonates today as a call to separate ourselves from anything that hinders our connection with Him. Whether it’s cultural Christianity, laziness, or unhealthy habits, we must be willing to leave behind what’s comfortable to embrace what’s holy.
Hearing God’s Voice
Abram’s willingness to obey stemmed from his ability to hear God’s voice—not through the noise of the world, but in the stillness of his heart. God often speaks in whispers, as He did with Elijah in 1 Kings 19:12, not in loud displays. To hear Him, we must quiet the distractions and focus on His presence.
If we long for a deeper connection with God, we must prioritize His voice above all else. Psalm 46:10 reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God.” It is in the stillness that we discern His direction and find the courage to obey.
The Call to Leave and the Promise to Gain
Abram’s journey teaches us that leaving the familiar is not a loss but a step toward God’s greater promise. Just as Abram left his father’s house to become the father of many nations, we too are called to leave behind the old to step into God’s new.
John 15:5 echoes this truth: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Connection to God through obedience is the only way to bear fruit and fulfill His purpose for our lives.
The Role of Covenant Today
As believers, we are heirs to the covenant through Christ. Galatians 3:29 affirms, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” This covenant calls us to worship not just in song but through our lives—by aligning our actions, decisions, and relationships with God’s will.
Worship is more than a Sunday activity; it’s a lifestyle of connection and commitment. Romans 12:1 urges us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. This is true worship—living in obedience and surrender to His plan.
The Challenge: Get Out
Today, God’s message is the same: “Get out.” Get out of complacency. Get out of the mindset that limits your faith. Get out of the habits that keep you disconnected from God. Like Abram, we must trust that leaving behind the old will lead us into God’s greater promise.
As we embark on this journey of Kingdom worship, let us commit to staying connected to the Vine, obeying His voice, and embracing the covenant relationship He has called us into. Together, as a community of believers, we can strengthen our connection with God and with each other, living out the call to Kingdom worship.
In closing, reflect on Isaiah 43:19: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” May this be the season where we step into the new, trusting God to guide us, sustain us, and fulfill His promises in our lives.
Let us worship, obey, and remain connected to the One who is faithful to complete the good work He began in us. Amen.