One of the reasons God called Abraham to leave his old life in Ur was that He wanted to free Abraham from his family's idol worship. God told him, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household" (Genesis 12:1). He knew Abraham needed a clean break from his old way of life.

But Abraham didn't quite make the clean break God desired. Instead, he compromised by allowing Terah, his father, to travel with him (see Genesis 11:31-32). This first compromise allowed for additional compromises—an eventual landslide of them.

The temptation to compromise and settle for less is something we all will face. When this temptation comes, we must stand strong in the promises of God. We miss out on God's best when we compromise with the world or take matters into our own hands. In Abraham's case, he believed he was honoring his father by settling in Harran. He also thought he was helping fulfill God's promise when he slept with Hagar. But thank the Lord for His graciousness! He didn't leave Abraham in his sin or forsake him because of his failures. The good news is that God will also do the same for us, no matter how we may have compromised. He stands ready to lead us to His perfect plan for our lives if only we will follow.