I Am Going With God

I am going with God Genesis 11:10-32 (NLT)

• I recently read a story of a lady who boarded the wrong airplane 
  • February 2026, a United Airlines passenger traveling from Los Angeles to Huston Tx- then to Managua, Nicaragua, accidentally boarded a flight to Tokyo, Japan, landing 8,000 miles away from their destination
  • The passenger was in flight for 6 hours before she realized that she was on the wrong plane
  • The airline apologized, provided hotel accommodation for 2 days and gave her some flights credits 
• There are many reasons why we never get to our intended destination and end up short of where we are going 
  • Distraction 
  • Lack of knowledge
  • Disobedience
  • Deception 
• Unfortunately, in life when these things happen, no one is there to give us 2 nights’ stay consolation or flight credits for the mistake that we have made 
• When it comes to our lives, these mistakes/missed destination can shape the rest of our lives and also affect our future generations
• Please note that God’s love and purpose has to prevail – and so sometime, He Orders our steps where He pleases – not necessary where we intend of being 
• In today’s text, as we explore Shem’s genealogy, there are a bunch of names, however at some point the Bible points out more than just names 
• I want you to listen and see where the text changes and how

• Read – Genesis 11:10-32 (NLT)

• In vs 30 – The Bible wants us to know that Sarai did not have a child 
  • Destination change – Childbearing was everything back then – it should today as well – Be fruitful and multiply 
  • Since we have read the Bible, we know that Isaac is the “destination’ that was not expected 
• The Bible also says that Terah – Abram’s father took Abram, his wife Sarai and Lot and left Ur (aah) and headed to Canaan – Canaan would be the land that the Israelites would be promised 
• However, Terah and his family ended up stopping in Haran and settling there 
• Terah lived there and died. Abram continues the journey to Canaan
• God did not intend for Abram to stay in Haran – He called him out 

• Acts 7:2 – 4 (NLT) This was Stephen’s reply: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me. Our glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham in Mesopotamia before he settled in Haran.[a] 3 God told him, ‘Leave your native land and your relatives, and come into the land that I will show you.’[b] 4 So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran until his father died. Then God brought him here to the land where you now live.

Destination analysis 

• What is the big deal with Haran? 
• In order for us to understand why stopping in Haran was a big deal, we have to look at where they came from and where Abram was called to go 
• They came from Ur – what was going on in Ur
  • Wealthy, advanced urban center of ancient Mesopotamia.
  • It was powerful city 
  • Ruled by kings
  • Had a structured government
  • Maintained military power
  •  Mathematics, Astronomy, Literature, Music, Jewelry craftsmanship, administrative systems
• Ur was devoted to the moon god Nanna 
• It was a rich city that practiced idol worship at its core 
• As a matter of fact – Terah was an idol worshipper 

• Joshua 24:2 (NLT) Joshua said to the people, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Long ago your ancestors, including Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River,[a] and they worshiped other gods.

• This mean that Abraham was raise by an Idol worshipper, yet God still saw him and called him out 

• Psalm 139:7–12 (NLT) – I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave,[a] you are there. 9 If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, 10 even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. 11 I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night 12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.

• Even though Terah might not have known – God was calling his son away from this place away from idolatry, comfort, security and dependence on man 
• Vs 31: – But when they came to Haran, they settled there 

Let’s explore Haran 

• A Major Trade Hub – Economically active trade hub
• Haran was devoted to the moon god Sin (Nanna)
• Haran was established and organized
• If you pay close attention to the details, you would know that you are still in Ur ( Spiritually)
  • They are both thriving cities with economic and social strength 
  • They both served the same gods
  • They have security and opportunities for wealth
  • The culture was the same
• If we go back to our story about lady who boarded the flight to turkey 
  • The entrance to the airplane was the same 
  • The airline was the same – united airlines
  • The cabin feeling was the same
  • The chairs were the same – you get it 
• However, the destination was totally different 

• 1 Corinthians 10:12 (AMPC) Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin].

• We have to stay guarded up – it easy to be deceived 

Let’s explore Canaan

• Coastal plains (trade & agriculture)
• Fertile pastureland
• Agricultural abundance
• A land flowing with milk and honey” — Exodus 3:8
• Its wasn’t all perfect, God would use the Israelites to drive out the people that lived there
• There was idol worship as well 
• It was the land God promised Abraham, and we would see covenants made and fulfilled in this place 

Application

• As I prepared this message, I wonder how often we stop and look at our surroundings?
  • We are so distracted by life – fun – stuff 
• I kept wondering where I was. And I want you to ask yourself the same question. Where am I 
• I know that I am saved – I left UR but am I heading to Cannan or did I get stuck in Haran?
• I understand why David would say Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life. ~ Psalm 139:23–24
• Because it’s easy to think that we have left our past, only to circle the mountain and find ourselves in our old comforts just a different address or zip code 
• Ur– represented places without God – A place of self-dependency – from human perspective, it was thriving and it looked good 
• It also represents the place that we as Christian are called out of – This is very common (Alter call) 
• But Haran- that’s where many people stop 
  • They notice the different location
  • The distance from Ur to Haran is over 900 miles – and these 900 + miles is tangible 
  • I have given my life to Christ, I am a good moral person, I serve e.t.c 
• But its easy after a long journey and fights – we slowly settle for what is familiar – our old self 
  • We have improvement without transformation 
  • Comfort without obedience 
  • Familiarity without revelation 
  • Haran might be better but it’s not God’s will 
• Let your life not be noted by “BUT “they stopped at Haran 
• I was going to name different things that cause us to stay in Haran, but the truth is – we all know those things that we are not willing to give up
• Those things that feel familiar even though we know they is a prick in the spirit that say –let go and let God!
• Those weights that are stopping you from going with God! 
• This evening, I am calling those that have not left Ur – its time to leave – This is your call from the Lord 

• • Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners – Romans 5:7-8 (NLT)

• • Today when you hear his voice,  don’t harden your hearts ~Hebrews 3:15(NLT) 

• Today when you hear the voice to leave Ur – don’t harden your heart

• And for those who have already left Ur, please ask to Lord to search your heart and let you know if you are on you way to Canaan or you stopped at Haran knowingly or unknowingly 
• Be aware of your old sinful desires – Sometimes like Lots wife, we can leave physically but mentally and spiritually we are still in Ur 
• I want to encourage those that are faithfully on their way to Cannan – keep going with God 
• I pray that you don’t look back –but keep on moving forward 

• Genesis 12:6–7- Abram traveled through the land as far as Shechem. There he set up camp beside the oak of Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites. 7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.[a]” And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

• • This is the first time God appears to Abram
  • The promise is tied to a specific land – “I will give this land…”
  • Some of you are waiting for a blessing, an answered prayer, a miracle – and God is waiting for you at the point of obedience 
• I title this message; I am going with God – because it’s only when you are with God, that He gets to say – I give you this, I deliver you from this, I overcome this for you, Lets make a covenant on this – Right here!!
• Because of Abram’s obedience to leave Haran and go to Canaan – 

• And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was [a]accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. – James 2:23 (NKJV) 

• Jesus has a promise for us in…

• John 14:1-3 (NKJV) – Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many [a]mansions; if it were not so, [b]I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

• That if we are obedient and wait of Jesus, not only do we get a place for us, but He is there also
• Today I am going with God’ help 
• I am going with God’s wisdom
• I am going with God’s peace
• I am going with God’s defense
• I am going with God’s encouragement 
• I am going with God’s strength
• I am going with God’s favor
• I am going with God’s protection
• I am going with God’s clarity
• I am going with God’s provision
• I am going with God’s courage
• I am going with God’s authority
• I am going with God’s discernment
• I am going with God’s patience
•  I am going with God’s joy
• I am going with God’s grace
• I am going with God’s covering
• I am going with God’s strategy
• I am going with God’s power
• I am going with God’s direction
• I am going with God’s promises
• I am going with God’s presence
• I am going with God’s truth
• I am going with God’s victory