Since we got Brooke back from a week at our parents’ house, there are three things that we have noticed her doing more. She is way more mobile and comfortable pulling up and walking around the couch, even balancing by herself. She has also been reaching for us a lot when she wants us to pick her up or hold her. But, the main thing we have noticed is that she loves to repeat words that we say.
We say, “say dada”, she says “dada”, we say “bye bye” she says “bye bye”, we say “hi” she says “hi”. And my favorite, “uh oh” or “oh oh”
We have been surprised and overjoyed by the new game. It has reminded me how much she interested in everything we say and do. Oftentimes we don’t realize that even at such a young age, kids pick up on everything we say and do and they love watching us.
This brings quite a big weight to be so heavily and lovingly observed.
God heavily and lovingly observed Abraham in this way. Genesis 12 tells that God called Abram to ”go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you”. God knew and watched over Abram from the beginning, and He comforted Abram by letting him know that He would show him the way. That He would be with him on the journey. God gave Abraham an amazing gift of His presence and attention.
God’s attention seems so massive and unfathomable. Why would the God of the Universe bother to give me attention? His love so big and hard to fathom.
God loves us so much that He invites us into a relationship with Him. From the day of his birth, we see God’s hand in Abraham’s life. We see the blessings that God poured over Abraham’s life by making him the father of many nations and the close relationship that formed. In Genesis 15 the Lord tells Abram “Do not be afraid, I am your shield, your very great reward.” This relationship continued on until Abraham’s death.
Abraham’s’ life probably didn’t look like he expected. He had many stumbles along the way, but was faithful to the Lord. Even in the midst of his trials, God showed favor to Abraham and he died at a “good, old age, an old man and full of years”.
God’s favor doesn’t always look like what we expect. The blessing of God isn’t limited by our ideas. When I pray for His blessing and favor, in my heart, I’m often just asking for things to go my way and according to my plan. But the true blessing is in our lives is intimacy with Him.
Abraham’s life had disappointments and triumphs, but regardless of what was going on in his stage of life, God was with him. The final scene of Abraham’s life is incredible. He is surrounded by family, and buried by his sons.
We see many examples in scripture from Abraham, to Moses, to Daniel, to Paul where God lovingly observed His People. And there are constant truths in the bible that tell us of His great love and care.
May we long for this kind of intimacy with God. May we finish well. May we truly believe that “He who spoke to Abraham” is our ever-present help in trouble, and the shield that protects us. For “indeed He loves His people”, let us desire nothing more than to draw near to Him and see His face.