If you ever want to see a case of remarkable faith and obedience displayed by a mortal in the Bible, there is no better example than that of Abram. His story begins with a divine call from God Himself in Gen. 12:1, “Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” Now, take a minute to ponder that call. The already-aged man of God was told to leave his country and family and take off into the unknown. Would you be willing to go if you were told today to pack up all your belongings and start traveling until you are told to stop with no further details?
Abram’s response is stunning, to say the least. Gen. 12:4-5, “So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan.” It was immediate and without question. Would it not be reasonable to ask, “Where to and why?” Truth be told, most people would be skeptical of a directive that is so open-ended, but not Abram. He packs up everything and everyone near and dear to him and sets off. Remarkably, his faith does not even cause him to question which direction.
Of course, God was directing his path, but it still took an awful amount of trust. There is more to this story that is worth noting, though. Abram first travels to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh, where he builds an altar (Gen. 12:6-7). However, he does not stay there and soon travels to the hill country east of Bethel and pitches his tent, where he builds another altar (Gen. 12:8). From that place, Abram and his caravan travel to the Negeb before going east to Egypt to escape a severe famine (Gen. 12:9-10). From there, our weary travelers returned through the Negeb to where he initially pitched his tent between Bethel and Ai (Gen. 13:3).
Finally, Abraham, at least for a time, settled by the “Oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD” (Gen. 13:18). Two things stand out about this remarkable story of faith and seemingly endless journey. Firstly, Abraham persevered. He did not assume that the first place was the final destination but instead continued traveling until the Lord directed otherwise. We would do well to remember that our Christian journey may take us to more than one place. We make work in a church, then go on a mission trip, then return and work on World Bible School. Or, we may move to another town, state, or even country as we persevere in doing the Lord’s work.
Secondly, Abram did not wait until he finally settled to thank God. He did so even when he did not know God’s ultimate plan for him or where he would end up. Through all that, he gave thanks continually. We should remember that thanking God is not something we should reserve for the end of our journey. Like Abram, we should say, “Thank you for for what You have done so far, God. Not sure where this path will ultimately take me, but thanks anyway.” If only we could have that kind of faith, that kind of perseverance, and that kind of thankful attitude.
Now, also think of the promise of God to make him the father of many nations. He and his wife were older, beyond child-bearing age, and yet there was no hesitation or questioning. His trust in God was so strong that He just listened and did as commanded. He displayed unwavering faith in the words of Jer. 29:12 long before the prophet heard them, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” God has a plan for your life. You may not see it written out before you, but with faith in His guidance and ability to protect you, you too, can step out in confidence on you Christian journey, and let Him take you where He wishes to accomplish His will. The promise He gives you is not to make you a father of many nations but a place so special, wonderful, and amazing that you cannot even begin to imagine what He has prepared for you there (1 Cor. 2:9).
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