3 Lessons from the Life of Abraham to Help Us Live By Faith

How did Abraham show his faith in God? By deciding to trust God enough to leave his comfort zone. 

Today I’ve got three scriptures to help us with the lessons from the life of Abraham to help us live by faith.

1. Living by faith, not control

Faith motivated Abraham to obey God’s call and leave the familiar to discover the territory he was destined to inherit from God. So he left with only a promise and without even knowing ahead of time where he was going, Abraham stepped out in faith.

Hebrews 11:8 TPT

God asked Abraham to go on a journey with him. A journey that would lead him to his destiny. God promised Abraham he would make him into a great nation, make his name great, and bless all the peoples on earth through him (Genesis 12:2-3).

But Abraham did not get to know where he was going, what he would experience, how he would get there, how long it would take, or what his life would be like when he arrived. Having nothing but the promise of God, Abraham stepped out on faith.

If we are searching to be in control, then we will live life constantly in a battle with our anxiety and insecurity, where we’ll either be overwhelmed by it or try to avoid it. 

Oftentimes I want to be in control because emotions can overwhelm me, and I think the solution is to get myself or others under control. But that is just putting faith in what I can do, instead of what God can do.

Do you make yourself available to God to pray through your anxiety and insecurity? So you can let go of control and let God be in control.

2. It’s the journey that shapes us

He lived by faith as an immigrant in his promised land as though it belonged to someone else. He journeyed through the land living in tents with Isaac and Jacob who were persuaded that they were also co-heirs of the same promise. [10] His eyes of faith were set on the city with unshakable foundations, whose architect and builder is God himself.

Hebrews 11:9-10 TPT

It was during the journey that Abraham forged his relationship with God, guaranteeing that Abraham would have the heart, character, and spirituality to appreciate and hold on to his inheritance.

The “journey” is the avenue in which we discover and work out our differences with God. It’s the time we become aware of the convictions we need to develop. It will expose any lack of trust and help us clarify any wrong view of God. All of these are important experiences for developing a healthy relationship with God. If we learn to enjoy the journey, then we will learn to enjoy God every step of the way. 

Share a little bit about the journey God has you on right now with a close family member or friend.

Everyone loves a good journey story, seeing our protagonist overcome adversity, against the odds, and come out the other side a different person! Lord Of The Rings, Indiana Jones, The Goonies, Stand By Me, Star Wars!

What is the journey revealing about you and God? As you’re on the journey, what can you take time to focus on and change in our relationship with God?

3. Focus on the promises

He never stopped believing God’s promise, for he was made strong in his faith to father a child. And because he was mighty in faith and convinced that God had all the power needed to fulfill his promises, Abraham glorified God!

Romans 4:20-21 TPT

What we can learn from Abraham is that his focus was on God’s power to fulfill his promises and not on the circumstances he was facing. Abraham knew that God was willing and able to keep every promise he made to Abraham.

What are some of God’s promises we need to hold on to?

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4. Bonus scripture!!!

Against all odds, when it looked hopeless, Abraham believed the promise and expected God to fulfill it. He took God at his word, and as a result, he became the father of many nations. God’s declaration over him came to pass: “Your descendants will be so many that they will be impossible to count!”

Romans 4:18 TPT

This is my theme scripture for 2022: Abraham believed God’s promise and expected him to fulfill it. I want to grow and exemplify that same faith as my wife and I are on our adoption journey to grow our family. To always have faith in God’s promise regardless of the circumstances or outcomes, even as we wait, like Abraham and Sarah did, for a child. 

So, what can we learn from the life of Abraham? He charted his course by faith. At the end of his life, it was clear that he had made the right choice.

For yourself: Are there Biblical convictions that you struggle to embrace? – Write them down and make a decision to work them out (through Bible study and prayer) with God.