ARTICLE – 6 November 2016
Abraham was a man of faith who acted in obedience to God’s plan even though he was clueless on where he was going. Genesis 12 describes his faith journey which ultimately led him to God’s blessings. His faith journey started when God called Abraham to separate from his home city which was filled with
idolatry. “The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). God initiates the faith journey from a separation of familiar and most often it will involve separation from sin for a sanctification process.
In faith, Abraham stepped out from a land which he grew up in to a place which he had no clue about. Yet, he obeyed God and this brought him great blessings. The Lord told Abraham: “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). Later we learn that God fulfilled His promise to Abraham by blessing him with a great nation after his faith was once again tested through his obedience to the Lord in almost sacrificing his son Isaac.
Through Abraham’s faith journey, we learn that God not only provides, but keeps His promises as well. In this case, God promised to take care of Abraham. The Lord declared, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3). Abraham’s faith journey continued through as he faced a series of trials such as a famine, facing the anxiety of wanting a son, conflict between Sarah and Hagar, the almost sacrifice of Isaac and his encounter with the Pharaoh. Yet in all this, God watched over Abraham each step of the way and through every problem, God proved faithful and kept Abraham safe. God never let Abraham go, even for a moment.
What does this then tell us about the relationship that God has with us? He does not call us to a life of luxury and ease but He calls us to be separated in a sinful world and live in obedience to His commands. Our lives will be filled with storms and trials, just like Abraham’s life. However, we can be reassured of Jesus’ promise to us if we step out in faith when we do His will: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” The question is: will you step out in faith and in obedience to God’s call in your life?
