By FaithSample

Trusting by Faith

All throughout the Old Testament, the phrase “The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” can be found. These three patriarchs of the Jewish faith were revered and honored by those who came after them. Today, we’ll learn about Abraham and the faith he displayed when God called him to do something unexpected. 

Hebrews 11:8 (NIV) says, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” This verse becomes clear to us when we know how this played out in Abraham’s life. Let’s jump back to the book of Genesis to find out.

In Genesis 12, God told Abraham—formerly known as Abram—to leave his country and his father’s relatives and go to a place God would show him. God also told Abraham that he would become a great nation, and that He would bless him, make him famous, and that he’d become a blessing to others. Upon hearing this, Genesis 12:4 (NLT) said he “...departed as the Lord had instructed…” 

There were no further instructions from God that day. There was no exhaustive plan for Abraham to follow as he set out. He didn’t have a map to tell him when to turn left and right. He simply had to listen for God’s leading each and every day until God gave him more information. 

We don’t have to know every single detail of God’s call on our lives, we just need to hear Him lead us to take the next step. Is there something you sense God is leading you to do? Do you lack a sound plan to follow? Is fear of the unknown preventing you from stepping out in faith? 

Know that when we engage our faith and step out in it even a tiny amount of it, God is pleased. And choosing to trust Him, despite how little we know, actually increases our faith. Because our God will always prove Himself faithful when we trust Him. Let’s allow Abraham’s life to be an example to all of us.