March 5, 2005

People of Faith
Gen 12:1-7

Before we dig in this morning, I want to point out something a friend pointed out to me this week.

Back in chapter 11 v4 we note the people of rebellion seeking to make a name for themselves and being thwarted by God. It is the same problem as was in the Garden at the fall: “We want to be like God.”

God wants us to be like him as well, but in holiness and obedience not in power. He puts a halt to their plans rapidly.

Now look ahead at chapter 12 as He calls Abram, his servant. Notice that this man who became the friend of God is (v.2) promised that God will make him a name.

God wants us to be right with him. God wants us to recognize that h e is God and there is no other. And when we do that, when we cease trying to make a name for ourselves, then God can make a name for us. And he makes a name that is not just for the span of our lives, but for all eternity.

Now, having passed that on to you, I want to go back to chapter 12 this morning because when I first visited it I didn’t have the proper picture of this departure. It has begun to come clear to me now as I see Stan and Kerry pack up the collections of a life in a storage unit ,that the faith they seek and the knowledge they have are just like Abraham’s.

I have heard myself say and I have heard you say, “I don’t know what God is up to. I believe on that day thousands of years ago Old Abraham looked at the many U-Haul camels laden with the accoutrements of life and sighed a big sigh and said “Lot. I don't know what God is up to, but He is up to something, and that's why I am going.”

I recall now, moving from Greenville to Belfast, then from Belfast to here. And having had to say the same thing. I have begun to gain just a little insight into people of faith.

(1) People of faith move ahead with what they believe even if God doesn't show them the next step.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

The world wants everything in black and white, sadly sometime the church does too. We want God to map out the path entirely and show us just how he's going to supply. God wants us to trust him.

We see Abram doing just that, look at verse 4. So Abram departed. Packed up and left, probably had a massive yard sale to lighten the load a little, Sarai probably sold stuff that she knew Abram wouldn't miss til it was too late to do anything about it, and off they went.

2Sa 22:31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.

Abram knew this about God, He knew that God knew the windings of the road and even though Abram didn't know them, He didn't have to, He didn't have a road to follow, He had a God to follow. So the first thing about people of faith is People of faith move ahead with what they believe even if God doesn't show them the next step.

The second thing about people of faith is they get discouraged at times and need to be reminded of God's faithfulness and power.

In second Kings 18 and 19 there is the story of a battle. Hezekiah , poor sap, is trusting in God to deliver Him and the king of Assyria is outside the walls with a huge army. An the king has his mighty mouths trying to dampen the faith of the Israelis.

Read Chapter 18: 17 -24 The people heard this and they were worried and the prophet Isaiah came to them and listen to him: in 19: 6-7 And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumor, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.

After a long night of seeking God and trying to be comforted. Hezekiah rests and listen to verse 35: And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.

God is faithful to perform HIS word and HIS will today . When God opens doors and doesn't let you see what’s on the other side, when you get discouraged because of that take heart, the only reason you cannot see beyond is that God is there, his brightness is all encompassing and He wants you to be reminded to trust Him, the generator of every good and perfect gift. He is the Father of lights in whom is no variableness or shadow of turning. He wants us to be reminded that though our faith be weak at times, His faithfulness is great.

Lam.3: 21-26 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness. The LORD [is] my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD [is] good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is] good that [a man] should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Tehy song writer penned it : “Great is thy faithfulness Oh God my Father there is no shadow of turning with thee, thou changest not thy compassions they fail not, as thou has been thou forever will be.”

So the first thing about people of faith is they move ahead with what they believe even if God doesn't show them the next step. The second thing about people of faith is they get discouraged at times and need to be reminded of God's faithfulness and power.

A third thing here about people of faith is that they don't just have themselves to consider.(4-5 ) So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram [was] seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.

It is one thing for God to say “OK ABE lets go.” But Abram is a married man and He has a wife to consider, he has not only got to trust for himself and his one camel load of clothes, He has to consider her and her 60 camel loads of clothes and her kitchen ware and , as she is a Proverbs 31 lady, her Macintosh with its accounting programs. He also has many servants we later see.

It is a bigger weight to carry the future of others in your hand than it is just to consider yourself. Faith walking affects others and make no mistake that is a heavy load. But you know what? I've read ahead, I know that the God who called Abram had plans for Sarai too. I also know that Lot was figured in God's plans and scheme of things. POINT? If God calls you out of the land to a walk of faith He will see to it that the ones he has blessed you with are cared for.

I think that is my biggest weight in ministry. I need little to survive, but as a husband and Father, I feel a great responsibility to see to the care of those with whom God has entrusted me. Silly really, I mean to fret about provision. God called me and He will provide !

So people of faith need to remember that God is the provider, And as Sarai’s maid Hagar finds out in a few chapters God sees it all, he misses nothing, no one falls though the cracks with God. He is called “the one who sees.” He saw to Abram and His following, He saw to Hagar and her family, He sees YOU and your following and family and He will take care of you. Be encouraged and travel in faith that He who began it will complete it.

One other thought here, The person of faith not only moves ahead with what they believe even if God doesn't show them the next step.2. they get discouraged at times and need to be reminded of God's faithfulness and power.3. They don't just have themselves to consider, but also people of faith often have to fly in the face of public opinion.

Imagine the neighbors, I mean after all, that Abram was an up an coming figure in society her, 'why he could have been a member of the counsel.” “Why I think he might have been able to be chosen to office.”

Friends, the world doesn't always see the point in God's direction .

Psalm 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

Ps 18:30 [As for] God, his way [is] perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he [is] a buckler to all those that trust in him.

Ps 20:7 Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Ps 31:1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: ...

Ps 37:3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; [so] shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Ps 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring [it] to pass.

Ps 56:11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

Ps 71:1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.

Ps 118:8 [It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Ps 119:42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

Ps 125:1 They that trust in the LORD [shall be] as mount Zion, [which] cannot be removed, [but] abideth for ever.

Pr 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Pr 30:5 Every word of God [is] pure: he [is] a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

It is easy to try and second guess a man of faith, But he trusts in God and we look and we take courage to follow his lead. We see him set sail and we feel inspired to follow his example.

Is God asking something difficult of you? Are you in a spot that requires you to stretch your faith?

Are you perhaps being asked to step out of your comfort zone and set sail to be what God wants you to be?

Then hear the words of John Shedd who wrote,

“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are for after all.”

Now you think about that. Amen