Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.
Still in a pilgrimage state. Observe Abram again builds an altar. And what doth his conduct in this instance teach, but this, that it is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, in all places wheresoever a gracious God meets his people, in the visits of his love, that there they should raise a memorial of tribute to his praise?
REFLECTIONS
AMIDST all the competitions, strifes and jealousies, which this world's goods excites among men in life, let Abram's portion be my portion. Let me but be able, in a well-grounded assurance to call Jesus mine, and I value not what sinners value of the perishing things of time and sense. Precious Redeemer! it is thy favour which gives a sweetness to every joy, and softens every sorrow. Let the cisterns of all creature-comforts be dried up, if thy wisdom see it fit: the stream of thine everlasting love will still flow. And while, like the prophet, I can Truly rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of my salvation it matters not, even if the fig-tree doth not blossom, neither fruit be in the vine.
Methinks this gracious call of God to Abram, which is always sweet in mercy, is uncommonly so in this instance: lift up thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art. And is not the same in effect said to every believer? Lift up thine eves, and behold in every direction, northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward, how all mercies and promises are continued to the faithful, in the Covenant of grace which is in Christ Jesus. All are yours saith the Apostle, if ye are Christ's; whether the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. Blessed God! May it be my mercy to enjoy all things in Jesus, and Jesus in all things!