When I think about Abraham, I imagine a man who was the pillar of his community, one who was looked up to and respected, not only by his wife and family, but also by his trained servants and even his enemies. But what made him such a recognised figure before God and those around him?
Read these 2 verses below, then you will have an idea where I'm coming from.
"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
James 1:19,20
There are 3 qualities that I think Abraham possesed in which he epitomises faith.
Firstly, I REALLY believe that Abraham was swift to hear, or i.e. a good listener. He firstly listened when God spoke to him without any doubts in his mind. I'm sure he listened to his wife and valued her opinions. We all know he did so when she suggested he sleep with her maidservant."...And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai." Gen. 16:2.
Abraham thought he was doing God's will and wrongly listened to what his wife told him, but he listened all the same. So don't you think he showed her respect by listening to her in other instances as well, giving advice on things that only a wife sees in her husband?
I think he also valued his servants, by listening to their concerns and needs, that's why they were loyal to him when going to war.
Secondly, I REALLY believe that Abraham was slow to speak, i.e. he only spoke when necessary. We do not read of Abraham saying many things in the Bible. He spoke little and when he did speak, it did not get him into trouble. When Abraham answered God, his words were simply "...Here I am." Gen. 22:1
Generally, the less a person speaks, the more they will be able to listen to other people's ideas, opinions and suggestions.
And finally, I REALLY believe that Abraham was slow to wrath, i.e. he had to have a very good reason to be angry.
Abraham did not lose his temper when Lot was taken captive. He did not shout at his wife for telling him to sleep with her maid. He did not set out for revenge when his wife was taken by Abimelech, king of Gerar.
Though he had many reasons to get angry, he was able to channel that anger into action that brought positive results - he possessed self-control.
"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city." Prov. 16:32
When we lose our temper, we lose control of ourselves. We are then capable of doing anything in our anger - e.g. lie, swear, shout, lash-out, physically and verbally abuse, even murder.
Abraham not only possessed these qualities but there was also something else that was very special about him.
"Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness." Genesis 15:5,6
Because Abraham believed and obeyed God from the beginning, not answering back or blaming Him for things that may have gone wrong, his uprightness (righteousness) made way for God to perform His faithful promises in his life.
If you have not seen God's righteousness, it is because your actions or behaviour have not provoked God to perform those promises in your love life.
God wants you to be an exemplary figure; in your relationship with your partner or spouse, your relatives, the wider community and even to those who dislike you.
I think I have spoken a lot, so I will leave you with this:
1. Be a good listener
2. Speak less
3. Control your temper
Why not apply point 1 (at least) this week and email me the changes you have noticed in you, or your partner.
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