I love the site Pray As You Go. Off and on for ten years I’ve enjoyed their presentations of Scripture, reflection, and world music.
A recent episode asked listeners to meditate on Romans 4.3:
For what does the scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.’ I thought about how simple that sounds.
After all, Abraham’s spiritual practice was pretty simple. Most of his practice (described in the book of Genesis) consisted of two things: listening to God, and building altars at places where he heard God’s voice.
Paul doesn’t mention it here, but Hagar also takes on a straightforward spiritual practice. (She was a woman held in slavery in Abraham’s household.) In her sadness and subjugation, God speaks to her. In response, Hagar is the first person in Scripture to give God a name. She calls God El-Roi (God who listened to me), and the place of the encounter is known thereafter as a place where God was present. (Genesis 16)
Neither Hagar, nor Abraham, nor anyone else in the household, worshiped in an organized or institutional fashion. They had no temple with priests, choirs, and attendants. They had no written set of instructions. All they had were their direct, unmediated interactions with the God of the universe.
I am also amazed at Hagar’s and Abraham’s courage. Who could listen directly to God and have the courage not only to stick around, but to speak?
I’m not sure about my level of courage right now, but I am learning from Hagar and Abraham. Stop. Listen. Remember. Repeat. Amen.
Lake Susan at Montreat: a place where many people stop to listen and pray.
Pastor2K 