Feeling a Bit Like Abraham

Genesis 12: 1, 4  "The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you."  So Abram left, as the Lord had told him."

The Lord asked Abraham to leave the familiar for the unfamiliar. He was to leave the known for the unknown. He asked him to leave what was comfortable for the maybe not so always comfortable.

Abraham did not have all the answers for the journey ahead before he left. He did not know how each need would be met along the way. He did not know what all would be before him to encounter. He did not know how or even where the journey would end.

He only knew he was to go. And He knew God would go with him, for the Lord said He would show him where he was going.

We are facing a new journey. It is a journey we have been praying and talking about for some time now.  A path before us has opened and we feel very strongly this is the time we are to begin on this new journey.

However, this new journey will require some faith. Actually, it will require a lot of faith.  There are questions that would seem reasonable to demand an answer to before walking.

But Abraham didn't seem to think heading out into "nowhere" was foolish without the answers for his provision needs or even his destination answered. I don't see where he bargained with God for guaranteed plans before heading out. Scripture says, "So Abraham left as the Lord had told him."

I have been challenged with this question, If all things have to be answered first, is that really faith? 

 If we really believe this is what we are to be doing, and this is the time we are to be doing it, then we need to obey now and trust that God will provide answers as we need them.

Hebrews 11:1  "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Faith does not provide all the answers... and yet it is sure. Faith does not give a clear picture or even all the necessary steps to take... but it is certain of the unknown. Sure that the hope which we've been given is steadfast. Certain that the unknowns and what we do not see are not to big for our God or even out of His sight.

It's this type of faith that pleases God.  

Heb. 11:6   "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Abraham believed God to be true to His promises.  

Heb. 11: 11  " He (Abraham) considered Him (God) faithful who had made the promise".  

 His faith was credited to him as righteousness. (Rom.4:5, 9)

Abraham did not believe just in his initial journey to a new land, but also in the birth of his son at an old age. (Gen. 18:10)

After that son was born, Abraham was once again instructed to give the ultimate sacrifice of faith.

Gen. 22: 2  "Then take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and sacrifice him there as a burnt offering."

Verse 3 records "Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took his son Isaac and set out for the place God had told him about."

He did not stall for a week or two to relish the last moments. He did not try to figure out why or what God was asking of him. Early the next morning... he put faith into motion... and obeyed.

We read in verse 12 of that same chapter, as Isaac is laying on the altar and bound with knife lifted above him, Abraham is instructed "Do not lay a hand on the boy".

Abraham's faith in God led to his unquestioning, unwavering obedience... and God provided.

There in the bushes was a lamb. There at the end of 9 months in their old age was a son. There at the end of an unknown journey was a land... a promised land for an entire nation that continues to this day.

Faith leads to obedience. Faith is something I thought I had a lot of... until I'm required to put that faith to action and live it. Not just talk about it, but step out in faith and make decisions based on what I believe God is asking of me. Not just have a faith in my head, but put that faith in my feet and move. Action faith requires me to step forward even when it doesn't seem to all make sense.

I have been studying about faith, reading about faith, and praying about faith. Now it's time to start living faith.

Rom 1: 17b, Habakuk. 2:4  "The righteous will live by faith."

And so, we are preparing for our journey ahead. Decisions have been made. Plans have been put into motion.

My humanness wants to keep checking, to keep asking, to keep planning... but if I wait for all the answers, I may never move.  And if I wait for all the answers, then that would not be faith. That would be living in my own provisions and strength rather than having the faith of Abraham.

It is time to proceed, to pursue the path that lies ahead... and trust God will show us where we are to journey along the way. I am saddling my donkey... faith is requiring a new journey.

I must have action faith that leads to obedience.

I'm feeling a bit like Abraham...
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(I will be able to provide details of "this journey" once the plans have been finalized.)