Week 20
Genesis 12:1 “Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house to the land which I will show you.”
This passage refers to the early days of faith in Abram’s (Abraham) life. These are the days of sweet discovery that there is a divine presence giving a divine calling for a divine purpose in life. The commonplace in life was interrupted joyfully by the transcendent call of God communicating a transcendent message to fulfill a transcendent purpose in this man’s life. He was specially called by God for a special purpose. And that purpose was to be fulfilled in Abram’s life through faith in God.
In a sense Abram was called by God to express faith in a way that contrasts with Eve; she distrusted God’s Word and command, while Abram believed God and obeyed Him because of that belief. This point would be emphasized in Genesis 15:6, “Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.”
It is amazing what faith does not know. Abram surely must have had a hundred questions that faith could not answer, and God would not answer. These might have include: “Where am I going? What is the ultimate plan? How am I going to provide for my family? What will this decision require of me? Do I have enough resources to be faithful to this calling?” And “What is all of this about?” These are good questions, but the answers to those questions were shrouded in the shadows of divine sovereignty.
It is equally amazing what faith DOES know! Abram knew that there was a true and living God. Abram knew that God communicated to him. Abram knew that God was speaking to him with a purpose. And Abram knew that it was obligatory for him to listen to God and obey God’s leadership and command. It would be unwise to disregard God and fail to follow His leadership.
There are so many aspects to the faith Abraham had that cross over to our faith in Christ and following Him in discipleship. Faith believes in Jesus as the Messiah and Savior. Faith believes that the cross of Jesus saves us from our sin. Faith believes that God knows what He is doing. Faith believes that God is good and His commands are good for us. Faith believes that obedience to God is absolutely necessary in life. Faith believes that it is wise to respond obediently and in faithfulness to the Lord. Faith is never apathetic, passive, disinterested, or bored with God and His Word. Faith is wide-awake to God’s will and purpose. Faith is fueled by the joyful assurance that God knows what He is doing in my life, and it is in my best interest to say, “YES”, to His will and way. This is the mindset of faith – to be faithful to God.
We also do not know the path before us. We do not know God’s leadership for tomorrow, and we do not know what will be required of us. But we do know that God has given us His Word – the Bible; we do know that He has a way for us, and we trust Him and follow Him in faith believing that all is well.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please fill my faith with certainty that I must follow You in full obedience, worship and thanksgiving. Thank You for calling me in Christ to salvation. Amen.
