Seeking Greater Happiness

Abram sought the blessings of the fathers.  He left Ur because his own father and others had turned from the worship of the one true God.  What was he seeking in the worship of that one God?  He lists his reasons in verse 2 of chapter 1.  He wanted to find:

• greater happiness 
• peace
• rest 
• ordination to the same [priesthood]
• greater knowledge,
• greater follower of righteousness
• father of many nations
• a prince of peace
• desiring to receive instructions [from God]
• to keep the commandments of God
• a rightful heir
• High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers.

As I ponder Abram's desires, I am struck by an almost natural way the wishes fall into groups. Let's talk about the first group today: happiness; peace; rest. 

Abraham tells us in verses 5 through 7 that his own father and many others, relatives and non-relatives alike, had turned to the worship of heathen gods, including those gods who required the sacrifice of human life.  Abraham himself was almost sacrificed in such a manner.

My fathers, having turned from their righteousness, and from the holy commandments which the Lord their God had given unto them, unto the worshiping of the gods of the heathen, utterly refused to hearken to my voice; For their hearts were set to do evil. . . Therefore they turned their hearts to the sacrifice of the heathen in offering up their children unto these dumb idols, and hearkened not unto my voice, but endeavored to take away my life . . .(Abraham 1: 5-7) 

 

What kind of constant fear would be produced living in such a society?  I think of times in history when people were in an unending state of anxiety knowing that at any moment, so one could come bursting in the door to lead you away to be destroyed, often in an horrific manner.  That must have been the case in Nazi Germany when neighbor turned against neighbor and a person could be destroyed because of his heritage or his behaviors.  Jews were hauled off to death camps as were Christians who had tried to shelter them and protect them.

 

The terror wrought later by the Assyrians was so great that people lived in constant fear as the armies of Assyria road forth against them.  These armies took no prisoners and had been known to flay people while yet alive and tack their skin to walls.  The mere mention of this nation of warriors struck fear in the heart of their enemies.

 

Even today, groups of people who have created a regime of terror in the name of a religion strike fear in the heart of people all over the world.  Because they are radical and fanatical, they are very dangerous and unpredictable.  The recent mass shooting in Florida is an example of how close to reality men's fears can be.

 

I don't live in constant dread despite the evil in the world.  That is due partly because I live in a country where their are still some safety and freedom, but mostly because of my testimony of my Heavenly Father and His Son and their power to save and bring peace.  Paul wrote to the Philippians:

 

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. . . . Be careful [full of care; worried] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:3-7) 

 

That is the peace I seek daily.  I expect it is also the peace that was sought by Abraham.
 

Gebara Education 2016