"Searching the Scriptures and Seeking the Lost"
ABRAHAM: A JOURNEY OF FAITH
by Wayne Jones
Many of history’s most famous men are remembered because of the journeys that they took. Men such as Christopher Columbus, Magellan, Louis and Clarke were made famous by their travels. In fact, many of their discoveries were significant to our history as a nation.
Likewise, many Biblical characters are remembered because of the journeys they took. Moses is remembered as the one who led Israel through their journey in the wilderness. Paul is often remembered by his “missionary journeys.” Another man known by his journey is Abraham. In fact, he may be the most popular journey man of all.
The popularity of his journey is easily seen. It was the journey that began earthly preparation for the Christ. It was a journey that lasted Abraham’s entire life. It was a journey that involved many in his family. It was a journey of faith.
That is not to say that Abraham’s journey was taken without assurance or confidence. Faith is defined as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). Biblically speaking, faith supports our hope and proves that which we have not seen. Abraham journeyed by faith. He journey by faith with Divine assurance of where he would end up and what he would receive.
What we want to do is to go back and examine this faith-filled journey. This journey of faith...
BEGAN WITH GOD’S COMMAND
To prove such a statement, all we have to do is recall the very verse that introduces us to Abraham: "Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee:" (Gen. 12:1). There is no plainer command in all of Scripture than the one God gave to Abraham. When he obeyed it, his journey of faith began.
Our journey of faith begins the same way. Consider the command that we are given: “Enter ye in at the strait gate” (Matt. 7:13). While this command may not involve my giving up my homeland is could involve my giving up a whole lot more. To obey this command, I may have to give up family, friends, habits, jobs or personal beliefs. No matter the cost (great or small), when I pay it and enter at the narrow gate, I will begin the modern-day journey of faith.
MOTIVATED WITH GOD’S PROMISES
Connected with the command to leave was the following promise: “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 12:2-3). It stands to reason that Abraham was motivated to begin his journey by this particular promise. That does not mean that he would have refused to leave if the promise had not been given. We can plainly see that God’s promise of great blessing was a motivating factor in Abraham’s decision to leave.
On a number of other occasions God would continue to motivate Abraham with the same promise. Just after Lot and Abraham had parted ways and Lot had chosen the “better” land in Jordan’s plains, notice what God told him: “Lift up now thine eyes, and look...for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever” (Gen. 13:14-15). We know that these promises motivated Abraham, because New Testament writers tell us: “he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God...But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Heb. 11:10, 16).
Our journey of faith down that strait path is, also, motivated by God’s promises. Consider the promise which is attached to the command to enter that gate: “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:14). Further promises of great blessings are found throughout the New Testament (Titus 1:12; James 1:12; 1 John 2:25; Rev. 2:10). When we remember these promises is gives us strength, courage and determination to continue that journey of faith.
SUSTAINED WITH GOD’S CARE
Abraham could take great comfort in knowing that God was protecting him as he traveled. There are two particular situations that come to mind when this subject is under discussion. One is found recorded in Genesis 12 and the other in Genesis 20. On each occasion Abraham thought that his life was in danger. So, out of fear, he convinced Sarah to lie and say she was his sister so that he would not be killed. On each occasion Sarah was taken by the leader, but God still protected her and Abraham in these situations. In fact, the Bible says of the second incident (God speaking to the king): “I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her” (Gen 20:6). God’s protective hand was there to guide and guard over this journey of faith.
One of the other ways in which God sustained Abraham in this journey was by giving him a wife that would lovingly and faithfully support him. Sarah was that wife (Heb. 11:11). The old saying “behind every good man there is a good woman” is fitting for this couple. She was one of God’s sustaining tools in Abraham’s journey.
Friends, God is the Sustainer of our journey, too. He does so through faithful, loving spouses; loyal, concerned brethren; and an active, fervent prayer life. There are times when our journey may seem to be at a dead end or in a hopeless situation. In times such as these, let us lean on one another, God and His Word. If we do, God will sustain us and we can continue.
FILLED WITH GOD’S TESTS
One of the most difficult tests that Abraham ever had to face came when it seemed that the tests were over. Isaac was born. Abraham was old. Yet he received this instruction from God: “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of” (Gen. 22:2). I, personally, could even begin to know the emotional pain that this command could have caused this man of God. However, we read of no hesitation in his heart. In fact, we are told that he got up early, took Isaac and began the journey toward that place of sacrifice (Gen. 22:3).
What, do you suppose, gave Abraham the courage and strength to pass this test? The writer of Hebrews reveals the key: “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son. Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure” (Heb. 11:17-19). Listen to the faith of this man. It said, “If God is powerful enough to give me a son in old age, then I know that He is also powerful enough to raise the son of promise from the dead.” Dear reader, that is a man journeying by faith!
There will be tests along our journey. Not temptations to sin, but tests that will prove our faithfulness to God or expose our allegiance to Satan. We will only pass them if we walk (journey) by faith.
REWARDED WITH GOD’S FRIENDSHIP
I do not suppose that a greater summation of Abraham’s journey could be given than the one that was given by James: “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God” (James 2:23). No. Abraham was not perfect, but he was faithful.
We can mark it down, if we are faithful then we are God’s friend. The magnitude of such an idea will not be fully realized until we are able to spend eternity with our Friend and Creator. However, the thought of that day and that Friend should ensure our faithfulness as we journey toward that day.
In turn, if we are unfaithful then we are the enemy of God. There is no middle ground. Likewise, the magnitude of this idea will not fully be realized until judgement. But, do I really want to fully realize this dreaded thought? I hope that we all will answer that question with, no!
So the question of the hour is, are you faithful to God? That faithfulness will be determined by your life-long journey. Not a journey of perfection, but a journey of faithfulness. A journey that begins with God’s command, is motivated by God’s promises, is sustained by God’s care, filled with God’s tests and rewarded with God’s friendship. Is that the journey that you are on this day?