Walking by Faith in Uncertainty: Lessons from Abraham’s Journey

The Call to Step into the Unknown

Beginning today in our daily devotionals, we will look at God’s call to Abraham, how God leads us to step out in faith, and how this changed Abram's character, making him the father of those who have faith in the God of Abraham. Over the next two to three weeks, we will learn how God works to grow and mature those willing to walk by faith. Like us, we will see that he was not perfect, but he was ready to learn to trust the Lord. His walk of faith began when the Lord spoke to him, giving him promises concerning his future:

Leaving Comfort for God’s Promises

¹The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. ²“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing (Genesis 12:1-2).

We often forget how risky it was for Abram to leave Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) and to gradually learn to trust God. Although Scripture shows what God was leading him toward, Abram didn't know the final result when he first stepped out in faith.

⁸By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. ⁹By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. ¹⁰For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God (Hebrews 11:8-10; emphasis added).

Why Faith Requires Risk

He embarked on this uncertain journey, leaving behind everything familiar—his country, family, father's house, and the inheritance he would have received if he had stayed. Naturally, concerns about language barriers in an unfamiliar place, provisions for an indefinite trip, limited funds for such a vast journey, and the risk of theft by thieves arise. It’s important to remember that God directed Abram to undertake this risky path. This encapsulates the essence of a faith journey. Someone once said that faith involves risk, and this remains true today. Living faithfully in God is not always simple or worry-free but involves a gradual process of learning to trust Him.

Trusting God When You Don’t Have a Map

Reflect on what it might have been like for Sarai to leave her family and friends to live in a tent. The Scriptures indicate they did not know their destination when Abram and Sarai departed. How do you think Abram explained this to Sarai? He must have told her he heard from God and that they needed to leave their home and city to live in a tent in a different land. She may have asked where they were heading. At that moment, Abram wouldn't have even known his destination! We don’t know if Sarai hesitated about the move. Wouldn’t she have wanted to consider the practicalities? She likely also had faith in her husband, as there’s no record of her opposing the plan. They simply had to start their journey, trusting God to lead them as they acted in faith based on what He had shared with them so far.

In the Hebrews 11:8-10 passage of Scripture above, what motivated Abraham was a vision of eternal things—the eternal city and God's reward. Have you ever had to make a significant change in your life’s path? Was there a cost and compensation for it? What battles did you face in your mind when you took that step? Sometimes God will require you to step out in faith, not knowing the result or where the journey will lead you. Is that a word for you today?

Application: How to Live This Out

1. The "Inventory of Bags" Exercise: Ask yourself: What are you carrying that makes you stay where you are? Abraham had to leave his father’s house. For a reader, this might be a toxic job, a comfortable but stagnant habit, or the need to be "in control."

• Action: Write down three things you are holding onto because they feel "safe." Ask God if any of these are preventing you from moving toward His "land."

  
  

2. The "Next Step" Prayer: Remind yourself that God didn't give Abraham a GPS; He gave him a relationship.

• Action: If you are in a season of transition, stop asking for the "5-year plan." Instead, pray: "Lord, show me just the next right step for today."

  
  

3. Validating the "Sarai Factor" (Relationships): Abraham’s journey affected his family. Application isn't just about us; it’s about those we lead.

• Action: If God is calling you to a change, how are you communicating that to your loved ones? Practice "faithful transparency"—it’s okay to tell them, "I don't know where we are going yet, but I know who is leading us." Keith Thomas

  
  

Continue Your Journey…

Taken from the complete study found in the series on Abraham. Go to All Studies, scroll down to The Faith of Abraham, and click on Study 1. Abraham: The Man of Faith