Abraham The Man of Faith
I have recently been looking at Abraham in my daily Bible readings and have decided to share some thoughts over the next few postings on what we can learn from him. The first attribute I want to think about is Abraham being a man of faith.
We first come across Abraham or Abram as he was formerly known as, in some family listings at the end of Genesis 11. However it is not until Genesis 12 that he takes centre stage. God calls Abram to leave his country and his father’s household and go to a land that He would show him. Most of us would find it difficult to leave our normal surroundings and go to another country that we know. However Abram was called to go and was not even told his destination. Yet he obeyed. That takes a lot of faith. Abram obviously had a deep trust in God and this would suggest a close relationship with Him too.
After a slight detour due to a famine and some time in Egypt, God again speaks to Abram and tells him that his offspring will inherit the land. Abram responds by worshipping God.
Later God again appears to Abram and encourages him. God tells him that he will have a son. Abram believed the promise from God and this was credited to him as righteousness. What a description! Abram had complete confidence in God and once He said something he believed it. Oh that we would have such faith! God was pleased with his response and proceeded to reveal the future to him.
After many more years had passed, during which Ishmael was born, Abram who now had become Abraham, finally saw the birth of his son Isaac. God had been faithful to His promise and Abraham’s faith was rewarded.
There then followed a few years later one of the greatest tests that Abraham encountered when God told him to sacrifice Isaac. One can only imagine the pain, doubts and confusion that went through Abraham’s mind when God said that to him. All his dreams humanly speaking were about to be shattered. Yet incredibly Abraham obeyed! He must have had such a deep trust and unwavering confidence in God to even contemplate obeying. He truly loved and feared God more than anything or anyone else. Once again God commends his faith and says that He will bless Abraham.
At the end of his life Abraham wanted Isaac to marry someone from his own country and sent his servant off to find him a wife. Abraham believed that God had promised to bless his descendants and therefore it was essential that Isaac married the right person. The promises of God were a living reality to him and he wanted to ensure that Isaac followed God faithfully. Once again Abraham’s faith was rewarded as his servant was led to Rebekah who returned to Canaan and married Isaac.
As he finished his life on earth Abraham could look back and marvel at God’s faithfulness to him and God was able to also commend him on his faith in Him (Hebrews 11: 8-12). I wonder if God is pleased with our level of faith and trust in Him or do we sadden Him by our unbelief?
Next week we shall look at another aspect of Abraham’s character and see what we can learn from him.
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