The Flocks and Folds of Abraham
God has a plan to redeem fallen mankind. We might have collectively sinned against Him but He has already chosen a person from who's lineage His Messiah will come. Abraham might seem ordinary on the surface but God considers him friend with potential
God's Word presented in song and verse.
in those quiet times spent alone with Him and in His Word. After nine years composing, arranging and recording... The Alpha & Omega Suite was finished at the end of 2008 and is ready for distribution in 2009! The Suite consists of thirty five parts which span two hours and forty minutes. This inspired music praises God and His Word; introduces His laws; His doctrines; His decrees; His covenants; and His grace to those who may never be exposed to His written Word otherwise. No glory, honor, or prestige is given to this earthly vessel, only to the One Who deserves it and is worthy of it!
Story behind the song
True spiritual interaction with God can only be brought about through His initiative within the lives of men. We do not produce, nor have the ability to create the conditions in which we are able to have a relationship with God, nor do our efforts reveal Him for who He truly and authentically is. What we can know, and do know of God is only revealed through revelations shown and provided by Him. This principal is consistently found throughout skripture and spans thousands of years of God's self revelations given to specific individuals.
In the same way that God is the One who initiates His revelation, He is also the One who picks and chooses the people whom He reveals Himself to. He is never swayed or impressed by people who are prestigious and elevated by the world's standards. He has His own set of criteria, and it has nothing to do with elegance of thought, physical beauty or magnificence of person hood. God always looks inward at the heart of the individual. He sees what's important within, not what's on our shallow surface. He seeks those who are pure and obedient, honest and lacking in self deception... and He alone is capable of making that assessment!
Abraham was just such a person. God looked upon him and saw that he was a man after His own heart. Long before the creation of this world, Jehovah God had a plan to redeem fallen humanity from our inherited curse of eternal separation from Him and it required working through the lineage of a hand-picked individual. This plan was so vitally important that God would not choose just any person... especially one elevated in the standards of the world. No, it wouldn't take someone with strength, nor someone with high intellect, nor someone with physical beauty, nor anyone with power over others, or even one with a high position in society. The kind of person God chose would be one displaying humbleness and faithfulness and obedience and honorable to others. This person would be no better or greater than anyone else born of woman, but this person would hold a place in God's heart and would recognize His voice... someone just like His servant Abraham!
Through Abraham's lineage God would bless the entire earth by sending His promised Messiah! No greater position had ever been given to any one man. Abraham alone stands honored in the annals of world history and is cherished by three world religions. skripture, in it's inspired wisdom doesn't portray Abraham as being a perfect man, it even goes as far as displaying his blemishes and imperfections. But it does give us a picture of the type of person sought by God, and it gives us the best example of what we too should attain to!
All who are a part of the family of God; recognize His voice; and love His Son, are branched into His kingdom through Abraham's seed. Yes, we too are a part of the flocks and folds of Father Abraham!
Lyrics
(Verse 1)
A nomadic shepherd was tending his flocks,
When met by the spirit of God who noticed and took stock.
His fathers had not known You. They served other gods.
They tended cattle and sheep. Some tilled the earth's sod.
Of all the billions of people from every time and place.
You chose that lone nomad from the entire human race.
You loved him as your own. His path you did direct.
His sins you did forgive. All faults you did detect.
You could have picked any other man.
There have been many in which to choose.
(Verse 2)
God made promises which seemed improbable.
But Abraham believed, knowing that with God all things are possible.
I will make your name great and you'll father many nations.
I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.
Leave your country and your family. Go to the place I'm giving you.
Obeying God, he left Chaldea and saw the land promised so true.
With Faith he left the secure and traveled to those foreign lands.
Where he did dwell in tents amongst strange people with foreign stands.
That man did believe the Lord his God. With righteousness credited to his good.
(Chorus)
As we believe the Lord, we too are part of the flocks and folds of Abraham.
Oh man of God directly chosen, who's family tree has given God's son.
There is no other substitute to reach our lost world with restitute.
You listened and believed God for what He'd do. A father of many nations he's made you.
(Verse 3)
Through his seed all nations on earth have greatly been blessed.
His heir has saved us from our sins and soothed our distress.
All people everywhere can find eternal life through his Seed.
By making Him Lord and admitting all sin and greed.
Abraham focused on righteousness and set forth to pursue it.
God was pleased and proclaimed him to be a good and faithful steward.
Jehovah tested his loyalty by asking for his promised son.
Abraham proved faithful and obeyed when it was all said and done.
A foreshadow to the time when God's own Son was offered for the sins of the world.
(Chorus)
You'll have descendants of faith from every time and place, covering the globe from every race.
And on that day when we gather in God's grace. We'll give our gratitude face to face.
With many thanks to Abraham. Who is known as God's friend.
We'll join our hands with Abraham. Who was greatly used in God's plan.
