Also known as the “father of faith,” Abraham’s journey with God was far from perfect. Sometimes, he doubted, made mistakes, and encountered incredible challenges like us. However, amidst all this, he had a unique and deep relationship with God.
His life wasn’t only about grand moments of faith; it was also marked by his everyday choices to trust God in the ordinary. What can we learn from their relationship? How can Abraham’s story inspire and challenge our walk with God today?
As we examine his walk’s highs and lows, we’ll learn how their relationship was a living example of grace, patience, and unwavering trust, helping us navigate our challenges and deepen our connection with God.
These 12 lessons will grow your faith and help you see God in a new light.
Faith Starts with Obedience
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” – Genesis 12:1
Abraham did not know where he was going when God called him to leave his homeland. This kind of obedience teaches us that faith requires us to take bold steps despite unclear outcomes. The Bible tells us in James 2:17 that “In the same way, faith by itself if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
Abraham’s faith was demonstrated through his actions. This kind of faith is active, not passive, and it is the kind that God requires of us. We are challenged to move beyond just believing in God’s promises and to live in a way that reflects those beliefs.
God’s Promises Are Sure, Even When Delayed
“Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.”- Genesis 21:1-2
God’s promise of a son to Abraham was fulfilled years later. God’s timing is different from ours, and His promises never fail. Also, God will never say something that He won’t bring to pass, as we see in Isaiah 55:11: “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Though it may seem God’s timing is delayed, His timing is always perfect. He does not work on our schedules but according to His plan.
This can be challenging for us to understand, but as we see in the verse above, God’s words are not empty. They will accomplish exactly what He intends. In your moment of waiting, trust that God is faithful in fulfilling every promise He has spoken over your life, just as He did for Abraham.
God Calls Us into Covenant, Not Contracts
“On that day, the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants, I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates.” Genesis 15:18
God made a covenant with Abraham, promising land to Abraham’s future descendants. Covenants are based on trust and relationship, unlike contracts, which can be broken. God’s covenant with Abraham wasn’t a legal agreement but a deep relationship promise built on trust and love.
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.” – Deuteronomy 7:9
The verse above reminds us that God is faithful in all moments, and He keeps His covenant across generations. Abraham’s descendants inherited the promised land because God kept His word. When we enter into a relationship with God, we can rest assured He will remain faithful to the promises even when we fall short.
Doubt Doesn’t Disqualify Us
“Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?”- Genesis 17:17
Abraham doubted God’s promise to the point of laughing at the idea, but God remained faithful despite Abraham’s reaction. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Even those with great faith can struggle to trust God fully at times. This was a moment of human weakness and uncertainty, but God’s faithfulness did not waiver, proving that His plans do not rely on our perfect belief. The verse above reminds us to trust in God wholeheartedly, even when our understanding fails us. God will lead us down the right path, as He did with Abraham.
God Sees the Bigger Picture
“He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then He said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”- Genesis 15:5
Abraham couldn’t understand God’s plan for him, which involved not just a son but nations. We often see a small section of what God is doing in our lives, but He sees the entire picture.
Abraham’s limitations reflect how we view our lives. We tend to focus on the immediate while God works on a grander scale. Remember that God’s view is not confined to our present circumstances. When we trust His Plans, it allows us to rest, even though we don’t see how all the pieces fit together.
God Blesses Us to Bless Others
“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” – Genesis 12:2-3
God told Abraham that He would be blessed so that he blesses all nations. Our blessings aren’t meant for us alone, but they are meant to impact others and point them to God. This is the purpose behind our blessings. God set a precedent for how blessings should be shared and used.
This applies to us today; be it our time, resources, or talents, they are meant to benefit those around us. We cultivate a spirit of generosity and love that reflects God’s heart. By doing this, we become conduits of God’s grace, showing the world His goodness through our actions.
Faith is a Journey, Not a Destination
Abraham’s faith journey is a testament to the idea that faith isn’t stagnant; it evolves and matures through experiences and challenges. Each step he took, whether leaving his homeland or facing the heart-wrenching command to sacrifice Isaac, deepened his trust in God.
Similarly, we will face challenges in our faith journey, but it is in those moments that we experience the most growth. We learn to lean on God when we walk closely with Him in these difficult times, thus gaining strength and resilience that changes our faith into something profoundly deeper.
Nothing is Impossible for God
“Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” – Genesis 18:14
Sarah’s pregnancy at such an advanced age is a powerful reminder of God’s ability to do miracles in the most unexpected circumstances. Even Sarah herself was in disbelief at the thought of this. God demonstrated that His power transcends human limitations. He can bring life and hope even when all seems lost.
When we trust God, it opens doors for God to work in our lives in extraordinary ways. God can turn the impossible into reality. There is nothing He cannot do.
God Provides
“Abraham looked up, and there in a thicket, he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.” – Genesis 22:13.
God came through and provided a ram for the sacrifice. God knows our needs and will provide according to His will.
God Requires Total Surrender
Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac teaches us that following God sometimes requires complete surrender of desires, dreams, and things or people we value most (Genesis 22:2-3).
This is the most profound example of faith and obedience. God knows what’s best for us. When we surrender, we discover a deeper intimacy with God and a greater understanding of His plans for us.
God Chooses Imperfect People
“But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”- 2 Corinthians 12:9
Abraham wasn’t perfect but God chose him to be the father of many nations. He chooses imperfect people to fulfill His plans. God saw potential despite his flaws. Our imperfections do not disqualify us from being used by God. Instead God will use them to showcase His grace and power. Embracing this truth helps us to step forward in faith knowing that His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Intercession Matters
Abraham’s intercession for Sodom is a profound example of compassion and advocacy in prayer (Genesis 18:23-33). As he pleaded with God to spare the city for the sake of the righteous, he demonstrated a deep concern for the people, showing that prayer is not just about our needs but also about the needs of others. Standing in the gap highlights the power of intercessory prayer, reminding us that we can bring the burdens of those around us before God. It encourages us to pray proactively for friends and family, even those we don’t know, recognizing that our prayers can make a difference in their lives.
By following Abraham’s example, we can cultivate a heart of empathy and become instruments of God’s grace, using prayer as a means to seek mercy and transformation for others.
Walking by Faith Means Letting Go of Comfort
Abraham’s journey into the unknown began with God’s call to leave everything he knew—his home, family, and culture. This act of leaving the familiar showcases the essence of true faith: it often demands that we step outside our comfort zones and trust God’s guidance, even when the path ahead is unclear.
By choosing to obey God’s command, Abraham demonstrated that faith is an active decision, requiring courage to embrace uncertainty. Just as Abraham embarked on a journey of discovery, we are often called to leave behind our own familiarities and routines to pursue God’s plan for our lives. In doing so, we open ourselves to new experiences and deeper intimacy with God, learning to rely on Him as we navigate the unknown.
Embracing the unfamiliar can lead to unexpected blessings and growth, ultimately deepening our faith and understanding of God’s purpose for us.
Trust in God’s Promises
Abraham’s walk with God teaches us that true faith is trusting a perfect God. We have seen God remain faithful even when we falter, and His promises never fail. We have learned the importance of obedience, surrender, and prayer. Let these lessons guide us in our daily lives.
As God was with Abraham, He has promised to be with us every step of the way.
More From Hope No Matter What
15 Misconceptions About Jesus Christ That the Bible Addresses
18 Misconceptions About the Ten Commandments That Most People Get Wrong
15 Instances in the Old Testament That Foretold Jesus’ Coming
Susan is a mother of four beautiful babies and a born-again Christian. She took over Hope No Matter What in 2024 and enjoys sharing her knowledge of the goodness and faithfulness of God. Her passion is to bring hope and encouragement to others, and she prays that by sharing her knowledge and personal story, she can inspire others to find enlightenment in God's word.