"By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place, which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going."
Hebrews 11:8
God gave Abraham quite a challenge!
He was called to go but not told the destination.
So by faith Abraham went out. This was a calling like no other. Because God called him to have faith. To trust. And Abraham did just that.
In fact, Abraham's obedience is one of the best examples of faith in the Bible.
What is the definition of faith? The Bible says it best:
"Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. (Hebrews 11:1).
Think about it. God speaks in numerous ways, but the primary way we hear from God is through His Word. Unlike you and me, Abraham didn't have a Bible. (We have it so much easier.) We don't know how God spoke to Abraham. Was it through a dream, or an audible voice? However it was, God communicated to him what his mission was, and he commanded him to go. And based solely on an act of faith, Abraham was willing to do so.
You are probably aware that Right From The Heart Ministries is based in Atlanta. Pastoring in the area of Atlanta for close to 40 years, I saw many out-of-town transplants. These were men and women who had been moved to Atlanta from other cities. One of the prominent companies that transferred many people to metro Atlanta was IBM. The joke was that IBM stands for I've Been Moved. Anybody with IBM already knew it was just part of working there.
So, think about it this way. Susan is working with IBM in Chicago. Her supervisor comes to her and says, "Susan, we are going to send you to a new place." She says, "Well, okay. Where?" "Well, I can't tell you. But I want you to sell your house. Go home and tell your family—you're going to head southwest and keep your cellphone on because we'll let you know when you get where you are supposed to go."
What a tough sell!
Susan might really like her company, but it would take an unusual level of trust on her part to make that kind of move.
Similarly, Abraham was called by God to a place not knowing where God was leading him, yet he obeyed, completely trusting Him with his life and his future.
God might not be asking you to relocate, but maybe there is another area of obedience where He is calling you to be faithful – to trust Him.
Maybe it's to be more generous with your finances.
Perhaps it's to have a gospel conversation with a neighbor.
Or it could even be to spend less time on social media and more time with family and reading the Word.
Whatever He is calling you to do, will you be like Abraham and walk in obedience by faith?
And if you're Susan, maybe God is actually calling you to make that big change in your life. Intentionally and with purpose, spend alone time with God. With your heart open, honest, and full of trust, He will show you which way to go.
All you have to do is get up and walk by faith.
