So far in the narrative of Scripture, we have seen God as Creator in that He made man and woman in His image. However, those He created quickly turned towards sin and rejected God. Then God gave hope through His promise of a Savior who would come and rescue people from their sin. Humankind has then continued to choose their own way, so God’s judgment and grace are displayed through Noah and the Flood. Yet not long after, the people have yet again sought their own glory through the Tower of Babel. It feels like a repetitive cycle of human rebellion and God’s mercy.
As we turn the page to Genesis 12, however, we see a hope-filled shift through the story of Abram. God has called out to him and has invited him into a life of obedience and faith. Abram would have been very settled in his country and home with solid faith in God. There was no human reason for Him to forsake these things. Indeed, doing so would have seemed foolish. But God, who is all wise, has asked Abram to take his faith another step and leave all that He has known for the cause of all people, not just his family and home.
God, in His kindness, did not call Abram to take this step of faith without also revealing why he was to do it. The Lord revealed to Abram that He had a plan to “make of you a great nation, bless you and make your name great so that you will be a blessing” (v. 2).
But the end of this call is not about making Abram a great nation. Rather, it is the blessing that would come through Abram and the nations that God would make through his faith. God would be working out the salvation of people from all nations—every tribe, nation, and tongue—through Abram!
In our own faith journeys, we want a full picture of what God is asking of us—at least I know I do! We know now what Abram didn’t know: that a Rescuer, our Savior, would eventually come
as a consequence of Abram’s obedience to leave his country and follow God. Often though we find ourselves in Abram’s shoes, not knowing the rest of the story God is writing.
Maybe it’s an issue of trust. Consider how we tell our kids not to talk to, follow, or take anything from strangers—which is good and right. We are doing that for their safety and teaching them wisdom. But following God should not feel like going with a stranger. We take our earthly father’s hand and go with him into unknown places because we trust Him and have seen Him lead us safely. In the same way, we should go confidently with our Heavenly Father because we have a relationship with Him that is built on faith and trust.
Abram had a close, personal relationship with the Lord, which we see play out in these verses in Genesis. Multiple times Scripture records God communicating with Abram, as Abram walked by faith. Over time, Abram got to know God. Evidence of his understanding of God’s nature shows up in two separate examples in which Abram built an altar to God as an act of worship. Because of God’s faithfulness, Abram trusted God and “journeyed on” with him despite what he did not yet know.
It is through intimacy and fellowship with God, through His Word, His Spirit, and His people that we can confidently walk by faith in obedience to Him. Experience with God builds a track record of His faithfulness into our unknowns.
Today, may we seek to have a faith like Abram. And as we walk out our faith in obedience, may we experience what Abram did: that we are blessed to be a blessing to others so that our joy may increase!
