One of the most well-known men in the Bible is Abraham. His faith was tested so many times that he earned the title “Father of Faith.” That is how profound this man’s belief in God is. God established a covenant with Abraham, and it was through his offspring that the Messiah would be born and save the world. In these times of uncertainty, let’s look at the life of Abraham and how he trusted God’s good provision.
The Story of Abram
“I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:2-3
Abram was a native of the ancient Chaldean city of Ur. He left his native land and journeyed to the land God had promised, where he would become the father of many nations and through whom God would bless all peoples. His name was changed from “Abram” to “Abraham,” which signifies “father of a multitude.” Abraham became a wealthy man; however, he and his wife were already beyond the ideal age for producing children at the time. As hard as it was to believe, Abraham had faith that God would keep His promises. He had a son at the age of 100, and he named him Isaac.
God Tested Abraham
Later on, God chose to put Abraham’s faith to the test once again. He instructed Abraham to take his beloved son, Isaac, and kill him as a sacrifice. What a shock that must have been for Abraham. The boy he has been longing for will be sacrificed for the Lord. Nevertheless, Abraham relied on God and did what he was told. God intervened before any harm could come to Isaac. Abram had faith in God’s ability to provide for him. Moments later, they found a ram stuck in a bush and offered it to the Lord.
Lessons From Abraham
In what ways does Abraham’s narrative speak to you? One thing stands out from a closer reading of the Bible: Abraham’s faith, not his deeds, was the catalyst for God’s intervention in his life.
Here’s how you can follow Abraham’s example to experience God’s good provisions:
Always put God first.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
When God commanded Abraham to give up his most cherished son, does that mean God wants His people to suffer? No. It happened because Abraham was putting his son above everything in his life, including God. The Heavenly Father should always be the first priority in your life. Everything else in the world will fade, but God is eternal. He declared in His word that if you put Him first in your life, everything else will fall into place.
Trust and Obey God.
“Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.” Deuteronomy 5:33
When God spoke to Abraham, he obeyed immediately. His faith and obedience were toward God. He had faith that God had him there for a reason and that He would also be the One to rescue him and give him victory. He came to be the father of nations, and many years later, Abraham’s descendants gave birth to the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
Abraham’s story teaches us that faith and obedience can make the impossible possible. Trusting in God and following His commands will allow Him to perform great things in and through your life. If you let the Lord use you, just like Abraham, you can also become a channel of blessings for others. Visit Bible Portal and find more stories about faith and God’s good provision.