Facing Fear with Faith

Facing Fear with Faith

Genesis 12: ⁴ So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. ⁵ Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan. ⁶ Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land.

 

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For some reason, GOD mentions age again. Abram’s ancestors lived much longer than his generation. At the same age Terah, his father, birthed him, Abram set out on a strange journey set forth by GOD. He was told to leave his father’s house and the place they lived in, but was not given a destination.

 

Abram was extremely obedient to GOD. He immediately told his family and those who joined them, to leave. Terah must have taught Abram and Lot how to handle their wealth while traveling, so this was second nature for them. He decided to face the greatest opposition to those who talked to the LORD, namely the Canaanites.

 

My Observations:

• Abram must have practiced his faith in GOD from a very young age.
• Abram was immediately faithful to GOD’s command.
• Abram went to the Canaanites, perhaps because of their strength.

 

Abram’s leadership was growing. He learned a lot from Terah, who learned from the Chaldeans. But one thing Abram did that was different than his father was leave because GOD said to do so. His request may have been questioned by everyone, because Haran, named after his deceased brother, was great for raising animals and providing food.

 

But Abram was sent on a mission. He may have listened to GOD tell him to do things in the past and the things he did worked out well. This may not have been the first time he had to do something that was scary and undefined. He had seventy-five years of practice and was ready to do what GOD said. This is the first time the terebinth tree was mentioned. It is a very strong tree.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD mentions Abram’s age to Moses?
• What fear do you have in your life that requires GOD’s intervention?
• Can you take small steps towards faith in GOD no matter how old or young you are?