Forward by Faith

March 09, 2017

Forward by Faith

Genesis 12:1-9

Faith can be lulled to sleep when we are focused on our own comfort rather than God’s plan. Abraham did not fall into this trap. He traded the familiar for the unknown and received many blessings.

Living by faith is the right answer when God calls you to move forward. His call can come to us at any age and in any situation. Abraham was 75 when he began his journey. David was a shepherd boy when he was anointed to be king (1 Samuel 16:11-13). Paul encountered the Lord on his way to arrest Jewish believers in Damascus; after his conversion, he became the Lord’s representative to the Gentiles (Acts 9:1-6; Acts 22:21). Our call may not be so dramatic, but it will always involve moving forward by faith.

Following God will also include times of testing. Abraham, like all of us, had some successes and some failures. The initial call to leave his country was met with strong belief and immediate action. As a result, the Lord promised a great blessing for him and his descendants. But encountering a famine brought a different response from Abraham—a sojourn to Egypt, deception about his relationship with Sarah, and chastisement from Pharaoh. Our response to God’s commands really matters. Through our actions, we can bring blessing or heartache.

Obeying the Lord can be uncomfortable. Those close to us may question our motives or disagree with our decisions. And we may not want to do what God asks. But faith will keep us moving forward in obedience. It helps us stay the course and experience the blessings found in a relationship with Christ.

Bible in One Year: Joshua 13-15