Scripture References: Genesis 11:26 - 12:6; Hebrews 11:8-10
Intro: Following God is not a static position but a dynamic journey – a walk of faith. This requires movement. We explore this today through the foundational story of Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 11-12), examining the two essential elements of faith's walk: leaving the familiar and arriving where God leads.
Key Points:
- Faith Involves Leaving (Gen 11:31-12:1): The journey begins with leaving: comfort (Ur), security, family ties, control. Abraham's father, Terah, started but stopped halfway in Haran. God specifically called Abraham to leave his country, people, and father's household for an unknown land, based solely on God's word. This requires overcoming our natural inertia and fear of the unknown. What is God calling you to leave behind?
- God's Promises Fuel Leaving (Gen 12:2-3): God didn't just command leaving; He gave massive promises (great nation, great name, universal blessing) to empower Abraham's costly obedience and trust.
- The Nature of Arriving (Gen 12:4-6): Abraham obeyed and reached Canaan, but "arriving" wasn't what human logic might expect:
- External Anticlimax: The promised land was already occupied ("the Canaanites were in the land"). There was no instant inheritance or easy settlement; they had to keep moving their tents. External circumstances didn't immediately match the promise.
- Internal Encounter: Amidst this external challenge, the Lord appeared to Abraham, reaffirming the promise ("To your offspring I will give this land"). Abraham responded by building altars and calling on God's name – acts of worship and dependence.
- Redefining Arrival: Arriving in faith is often less about immediate, visible, external success and more about the internal reality of encountering God, growing dependence, and learning to worship in the land of promise, even before full possession. God prioritizes shaping our character to carry His promises. Don't miss the internal arrival while looking only at external circumstances.
Conclusion: The walk of faith involves courageously leaving the known at God's command and arriving where He leads. True arrival isn't always marked by external ease but by an internal encounter with God, growing trust, and worship built on His faithfulness, even when promises are yet to be fully realized.
Call to Action:
- Identify what God is calling you to leave today – comfort, fear, sin, control?
- Take the step of faith He requires, trusting His promises even without full clarity.
- When you "arrive" in a new season or place, look for God's presence and the internal work He is doing, not just the external circumstances.
- Build altars – practice worship and dependence on God, especially when things are challenging or unclear.
*Summaries and transcripts are generated using AI.
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