Welcome fellow travelers. This is Grace and Sobriety for Latter-day Saints on a path of recovery and living a sober life through Jesus Christ and His Gospel.

We often think our battle is just against a behavior, a bottle, or a doubt. But what if the real war is actually over your name? The adversary wants you to believe you are just your past mistakes.

But in this week’s study of Moses 1 and Abraham 3, God takes us back before the beginning to settle the score once and for all. He reminds Moses—and He’s reminding you—that before you were anything else, you were His.

Today, we are going to learn how to use your divine identity to silence the darkness. Welcome to the devotional message.

Anchor Verse:

“And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers… desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace.” — Abraham 1:2

In our previous devotionals, we explored Moses 1: first, the humility of realizing our own “nothingness” without God (Day 1), and second, the power of claiming our divine identity when the adversary tries to define us by our past (Day 2).

Additional Scriptures:

• Moses 1:20: “And it came to pass that Moses began to fear exceedingly; and as he began to fear, he saw the bitterness of hell. Nevertheless, calling upon God, he received strength.” (The pivot from fear to action).
• Abraham 1:5: “My fathers, having turned from their righteousness… refused to hearken to my voice.” (The reality that we often have to recover despite our environment).

Today, we transition to Abraham 1, which serves as the perfect companion to Moses’s stand. While Moses illustrates standing your ground against darkness, Abraham illustrates walking away from it. Abraham lived in a toxic environment—Ur of the Chaldees—surrounded by the idolatry of his fathers and a culture of spiritual death. Yet, instead of succumbing to the environment or merely coping with it, Abraham sought something better. He didn’t just want to escape the bad; he hungered for “greater happiness and peace.”

Devotional Message

“I Sought for the Blessings”

Recovery is not passive. Sobriety is not merely the absence of addiction; it is the aggressive pursuit of a better life. In Moses 1:20, after Moses asserts his identity, he does something crucial: he calls upon God with renewed strength, and the glory of the Lord returns to him. This act of reaching out signifies more than just a moment of plea; it represents an intentional step toward transformation and a commitment to change one’s circumstances.

Abraham takes this a step further. He finds himself in a situation that many of us know too well: a “land of the Chaldeans” (Abraham 1:1). For us, this “land” might be a family history of addiction, a circle of toxic friends, or the mental landscape of depression and anxiety. Abraham’s fathers had “turned from their righteousness” (Abraham 1:5) and worshipped the gods of Elkenah—gods of wood and stone that could not hear or save. This serves as a powerful metaphor for the things we sometimes turn to in times of distress: illusions of comfort and security that ultimately evade our deepest needs.

How often do we return to our own “gods of Elkenah”—our substances, our codependent behaviors, our numbing agents—even though we know they are dumb and deaf to our pain? These habits may provide a fleeting sense of relief, but in the long run, they compound our suffering rather than alleviate it. We must reflect critically on what we seek for solace and address the underlying issues that drive us back to those old, ineffective ways of coping.

Abraham’s recovery began with a holy discontent. He realized that the environment he was in could not support the identity he claimed. He felt a profound stirring within, a need for something greater and more fulfilling than his current state. He recognized the importance of not merely existing in a toxic environment but rather actively seeking out spaces that foster growth and recovery. He says, “Finding there was greater happiness… I sought.” This quest for happiness and purpose underscores the proactive nature of recovery—it’s about seeking out, striving for, and embracing a life filled with joy, meaning, and connection.

Through this lens, we can understand that recovery is an act of self-advocacy and determination. It is often a long and winding path, requiring us to confront painful truths about ourselves and our circumstances. However, it is also a journey filled with hope, resilience, and the potential for profound transformation. By calling upon God and actively seeking out environments conducive to our growth, we too can transcend our struggles and find greater happiness.

• He acknowledged the reality: The current way isn’t working.
• He believed in “more”: He believed greater peace existed.
• He moved: He became a “follower of righteousness.”

In recovery, you must be willing to be a “prince of peace” in a land of chaos, understanding that this journey is not just a personal battle but a profound transformation that impacts those around you. You must embrace the challenge of breaking the generational chain that binds you, symbolizing hope for future generations. Abraham almost lost his life on the altar of his father’s false gods, illustrating the profound struggle against inherited beliefs and destructive patterns, just as many of us have nearly died on the altars of our addictions, facing the demons that threaten to define our existence. Yet, in the midst of despair, there is always a path back to light; because he sought the Lord with unwavering faith, an angel—the Lord’s presence—came to unloose his bands, delivering him from the clutches of darkness and reminding us that through divine intervention, liberation is possible (Abraham 1:15). In this pursuit, we learn that seeking support, finding community, and fostering resilience are essential components of our healing journey, allowing us to rise above the chaos and reclaim our lives with courage and determination.

Recovery Focus

Living and Thriving in Recovery and Sobriety

The “Chaldees” of our lives are sticky. They are familiar. Leaving them requires the Courage to Seek.

• Identify your “Ur”: What is the environment, habit, or relationship that is actively hostile to your recovery? Abraham could not stay in Ur and become the father of the faithful. You cannot stay in your old patterns and become the person God intends.
• Desire “Greater” Things: Addiction often settles for “relief.” Recovery seeks “happiness, peace, and rest.” Shift your focus from avoiding pain (relief) to building a life you don’t want to escape from (peace).
• Break the Cycle: Abraham is the ultimate example of breaking generational trauma. He refused to follow the “fathers” into destruction. In your recovery, you are declaring that the cycle of addiction/abuse/silence stops with you.

Wisdom and Grace

Living a Crucified Disciplined Life

The “crucified life” as mentioned in Galatians 2:20 emphasizes the necessity of leaving behind the old man in Ur, allowing for the new man in Canaan to emerge. This transition is not merely a physical relocation, but a profound spiritual metamorphosis that requires intention and commitment.

Discipline of Departure: Embracing the discipline of departure can often feel like an act of bravery. There are moments in our lives when we must recognize situations that no longer serve our well-being or spiritual journey. Walking away may mean disconnecting from conversations that lead to negativity, distancing ourselves from locations steeped in unhealthy memories, or even abandoning mindsets that foster anxiety. It takes immense courage and discipline to prioritize your peace over the comfort of familiarity. Each departure is, in essence, a step closer to discovering your true self and facilitating a deeper connection with grace.

Grace in the Seeking: Abraham’s journey serves as a quintessential example of faith in action. Importantly, it is recognized that Abraham was in a state of seeking before the blessings manifested in his life. This seeking should inspire us to embrace the fact that grace often finds us when we are in pursuit of something greater. Perfection is not a prerequisite for receiving grace; instead, it is the act of being a “follower of righteousness” that propels us forward. This journey toward righteousness does not demand that we have everything figured out; rather, it invites us to take small, meaningful steps in the right direction, trusting that grace will meet us there.

Key Insight: A pivotal understanding is that God’s intervention in Abraham’s life was not solely a rescue from peril, but rather an initiation into a divine covenant. This covenant was about destiny, purpose, and legacy. When we experience recovery in our lives, it transcends the mere act of preserving our existence; it is about engaging in a transformative process that allows us to build something of lasting significance. The narrative goes beyond survival to encompass a vision of thriving, where our journey becomes a blessing not just for ourselves, but for generations to come. By recognizing and embracing this truth, we can gain a profound sense of purpose that inspires us to navigate the complexities of life with hope and determination.

Summary and Call to Action

Summary:

Day 1 taught us that we are nothing without God, emphasizing our dependence on Him for everything in life. It serves as a reminder that our strength and purpose come from our relationship with the divine. Day 2 reinforced our identity as His children, highlighting the love and care that God has for each of us. This identity is not just a label; it is a profound truth that shapes how we view ourselves and our interactions with the world around us.

Day 3 takes us further, teaching us that as His children, we must possess the courage to seek a better country. This idea challenges us to aspire for a life that transcends our current circumstances—one that aligns with our faith and values. The “gods of Elkenah,” which symbolize distractions and false securities, offer no real fulfillment and can lead us astray. These may include materialism, unhealthy relationships, or even negative thought patterns that consume our time and energy without yielding any real benefits.

Instead, we are called to actively pursue the “greater happiness” that comes from embracing our faith, participating in the Priesthood, and seeking the comforting presence of God. This pursuit requires intention and effort, as well as the courage to let go of what is holding us back, knowing that true happiness is found in a life dedicated to God’s will and purpose.

Call to Action:

This week, take some time to identify one specific “god of Elkenah” that you have allowed to occupy a significant place in your life. This could be a habit that drains your energy, a thought pattern that perpetuates negativity, or a resentment that you’ve been clinging to. Write it down in a journal, reflecting on how it has influenced your thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Next, think critically about the “greater happiness” you are ultimately seeking in its place. What does that happiness look like for you? It might be the joy found in serving others, the peace that comes from forgiveness, or the fulfillment derived from deepening your spiritual life. Write that down as well, creating a clear and tangible goal for yourself. This exercise not only helps you acknowledge the obstacles in your life but also sets the foundation for a transformative journey toward the joy and fulfillment that lies ahead.

• Pray: “Lord, unloose my bands as You did for Abraham. I am seeking greater peace. Lead me out of Ur.”
• Act: Take one concrete step away from that old environment today. Delete the number, throw away the bottle, send the apology, or attend the meeting. Be a follower of righteousness.

“Stand up, Son and Daughter of God. Leave the altar of the false gods. Your land of promise awaits.”