Author: Amy Fontenot

Reading Plan: Genesis 12

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:8-10

When I was a kid, my family moved a lot due to the nature of my dad’s job. We had the opportunity to live in four different states and twice as many cities. As awesome as it was to meet new friends and travel to brand-new places every few years, it was always hard to pack up and say goodbye to the people and the things that had become familiar. Leaving one thing to start something new isn’t always easy, but as believers, when God calls us to go, His plans are always better.

“The Lord said to Abram: Go out from your land, your relatives, and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” Genesis 12:1

I imagine Abram before God called him, just living life and trying to do the best he could for his family. Though things might not have been perfect—dreams unfulfilled and his family incomplete—perhaps he could find consolation in living in a familiar land with a certain level of stability and security. I don’t know if Abram was content with his life or if he longed for purpose, but either way, God had a better plan.

God spoke a command and promises, and everything changed for Abram. God didn’t reveal a destination or detailed itinerary, just the command to GO. Though the directions were simple, God’s promises were extravagant. He promised Abram seemingly impossible things, better things, eternal things. (Genesis 12:1-3)

“So Abram went as the Lord had told him…” Genesis 12:4a

When God called, Abram obeyed. Abram believed God, trusted God and took his first step of faith even though the act of going was not easy. He packed up his wife, nephew, and belongings, and left all that he had ever known to travel thousands of miles to a foreign land not knowing where he would end up. Abram obeyed because he believed in God’s promises, and God used Abram in His redemption plan that extended those promises to us.

“Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’ So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” Galatians 3:7-9

The commentary in my CBS Study Bible says, “Obedience to God often means leaving one thing in order to receive something else even better.” Abram knew how to obey because God spoke and Abram listened. When we obey, we are leaving our plans behind to follow God’s plans. When we don’t know our next step of obedience, we can seek God’s commands and promises through prayer and in the Bible. God's plans are far better than what we could imagine for ourselves, and He wants to use us in His plans to change the world for eternity. He knows the path and the destination. We just have to listen to His voice and take the next step.


Reflection & Response:

• How did God first call you to a relationship with Him? Has He called you to something new since becoming a believer?
• Read Hebrews 11. Write your own “By Faith” statement: By faith, I ___________.
• Write down your testimony and share it with someone this week.
• What next step is God calling you to in your faith journey? Do you have a relationship with Jesus? Do you need to share your faith or invite a friend to church? Do you need to leave something behind in order to walk in obedience? Share your next step with your House Church Pastor, or email us at hello@venturechurch.org.

Family Application: God is with us every step of the way.

• God told Abram to leave all that Abram had ever known to go to a place that God would show him. Abram had lived in the same place most of his life. Abram was going to have to leave everything that made him comfortable behind. He was going somewhere to see people he did not know. It was really uncomfortable for Abram. Being uncomfortable is okay though, this means that Abram was going to have to trust God. Even though Abram didn’t know what was going to happen, he did what God was calling him to do.
• Just like Abram, sometimes God will call us to do things that might make us uncomfortable or might be hard but God is with us. Since God is with us, He helps us do things that are uncomfortable and hard. With God’s help, we can do hard things.
• Prayer for today: Lord, thank you for being a God that is always with us. God, thank you for being with me and helping me when I have to do something that makes me uncomfortable or that is really hard. Help me love others like you love me today. Amen.