One writer captures our need to trust God when he writes, “You’re a soul made by God, made for God, and made to need God, which means you were not made to be self-sufficient.”[1] Trusting in ourselves, our achievements, and our accomplishments is a losing proposition. Great men and women of God were people of faith. Abraham trusted God’s leading, even when he didn’t know where he was going.

Hebrews 11:8-10
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.

God called Abraham to leave everything he knew—his country, his people, and his family. The instruction was vague. “Go from your country… to the land that I will show you.” The promise was certain, “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you.” So, Abraham did what God told him to do. And, by the way, he was seventy-five years old when God put this call on his life, so much for pleasure trips, golfing, and being with the grandchildren.

Let’s be clear. God’s direction to Abraham was not based on blind faith. The call included certainty (Hebrews 11:1).

• Abraham moved out on the knowledge of God’s promised blessings (Genesis 12:2-3).
• Abraham moved out with the heartfelt agreement that God could deliver on his promise. Remember, Abraham had seventy-five years of history with God.
• Abraham moved out with the certainty that although he did not know where he was going, God did. God told Abraham to go “to the land that I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). God knew the destination, and that was enough for Abraham.

One more thing:

• Abraham moved out! Moving out of the darkness into the light means…moving, going forward, making progress, being on the journey. By faith, Abraham obeyed God. By faith, we can obey God as well.

Father, give us open ears to hear, open hearts to accept your call, and the courage to move out. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

[1] John Ortberg, Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You (Zondervan, 2014), 39.