BELIEVING FAITH
- from Ordinary to Extraordinary -
Genesis 12-22
Abram’s name was changed to Abraham and Sarai’s name was changed to Sarah.
Nothing is impossible because God is able.
Abram and Sarai were just ordinary people
used in an extraordinary way
because they were willing to obey.
(What could God accomplish through us today
if we were always willing to trust then obey?)
God chose Abram once upon a time
to leave behind the familiar ties that bind.
So Abram left his country and family then went.
He took his wife, his nephew, their possessions, with his tent.
(How willing are we to go where God wants?
How about to speak when God prompts?)
He left with God’s promises ringing in his ears.
God’s promises are meant to chase away any fears.
God promised to bless Abram and to make his name great.
God always keeps His promises. God waits, but won’t be late.
(Read the other promises in Genesis 12:2-3.)
Two ordinary people set out in obedience
with only the assurance of God’s faithful promises.
They would learn about an extraordinary plan
that God had in mind for two ordinary humans.,
(Watch for God’s extraordinary plan for your life too.
And be sure to thank Him for His promises to you.)
Where Abram was going he did not know,
but God had promised he would one day show.
God guided Abram and Sarai along
as each day they traveled further away from home.
(God promises to guide us one day at a time.
His daily faithfulness is proven each and every time.)
They journeyed toward Egypt. One day there was a fork in the road, so to speak.
Abram rationalized in exchange for more cattle, donkeys, and sheep.
Yes, Abram had his faults, was known to lie,
because he was just an ordinary guy.
(Rationalization involves manipulating the truth
which often ends up leaving behind someone hurt.)
Abram sold his wife to Pharoah saying, “She is my sister.”
How come Sarai didn’t have a few words with her mister?
I suppose that would not be the way of a good wife,
though I’m sure it became the cause of strife in their life.
(What lie has caused strife
to burden your life?)
Did Abram learn from telling a lie?
Wait and see. We’ll find out as time goes by.
Time went by. The place called Bethel could no longer support Abraham and Lot.
Hardships had formed. A decision had to be made between Abram and Lot.
(Hardship could be a time of evaluation.
A time to seek God for His solution.)
Lot chose the plain of Jordan, well-watered,
looking like the garden of the Lord.
Abram was left with dry Hebron,
where he learned God would provide for him.
(A life of gratitude
grows a positive attitude.)
Although it seemed like Lot chose the best option
that decision lead him down the road of ruin.
I wonder, did he seek the Lord first
or was his decision based on thirst?
(Never compare your lot in life with others
for you’re not aware of burdens they bear.)
Thirst based on city life
versus living in dust?
His choice lead to wrong decisions
that invited sin and temptation.
(Be sure to seek God’s direction
before your own inclinations.)
God reminded Abram of his original promises.
As was his custom, Abraham built an altar and worshiped.
Yes, Abram was just an ordinary man
who worshiped his extraordinary God often.
(How often do you spend time with God?
In prayer, in Scriptures, in praise, in song?)
Although Abram was an ordinary man,
God had an extraordinary plan.
God’s plan was: north and south, east and west – as far as Abram could see,
and as many as the countless sands would his offspring be. (Genesis 13:14-15)
(How often do you thank God for His many gifts?
Or do you find yourself only asking from a list?)
Life went on, troubles confronted God’s chosen, Abram.
Abram learned over the years troubles were meant as God’s lessons.
Seeking God’s guidance, Abram sought to bring God honor.
Yet, Abram’s heart’s desire was to be a father.
(Have you learned that your burdens
are meant to be God’s lessons?)
Now Abram was just an ordinary man
so he asked God again (for God’s ways he did not understand),
“O Lord, I’m still childless. I have no descendants.
You’ve promised me - more than once – many descendants.”
(God wants us to ask when we don’t understand.
He loves communication with humans.)
So God reminded Abram once again.
He told Abram to count the stars in the heavens.
God promised Abram his descendants would be
more than all the bright stars in the sky he could see. (Genesis 15:5-6)
(Think of your generations before you and after you.
How has your family history influenced the world anew?)
Abram being just an ordinary man
believed what God told him that day, you understand.
Because Abram had believing faith, he was extraordinary in God’s eyes.
You would have thought his extraordinary believing faith would have made him always wise.
(God has a solution when we make unwise decisions.
It’s called forgiveness. What freedom comes when forgiven.)
Now Sarai was just an ordinary woman.
She, too, was waiting on God for children.
So one day Sarai had a plan,
though not a very good plan.
(Do you devise human plans without consulting God?
After all, waiting on God does seem to be hard.)
Abram agreed to Sarai’s plan.
He should have consulted God, not woman.
Abram had a child with the maid.
From this union hostility was made. (Read Genesis 16.)
(Ill will was formed between all.
If only on God they had called.)
One good thing that came out of this unwise human plan
was the angel of the Lord consoled Hagar, the maiden,
and she was comforted to know “You are the God who sees me.”
Hagar’s story is recorded for us as part of "HisStory." (Genesis 16:13)
(Yes, God knows and sees you
and has a plan to guide you too.)
Abram got ahead of God’s timetable,
though he knew with God nothing was impossible.
Getting ahead of God’s timetable,
you’ll find, causes nothing but trouble.
(Do you have such an experience in your life?
Are you still dealing with the result of strife?)
God reminded Abram of His promises once again
when Abram was the wise old age of ninety-nine.
At that time God changed Abram’s name to Abraham
stating he would be the father of many nations. (Genesis 17:5)
God also changed Sarai’s name to Sarah
stating she would give birth to a son; God would bless her
and she would become the mother of nations. (Genesis 17:15-16)
A covenant promise fulfilled for all generations.
(Abraham’s new name means father of many. Sarah means princess.
God was about to fulfill His promise. He is the Keeper of Promises!)
Abraham was so astonished he laughed in disbelief,
after all, he was nearly100 years old (doubting faith).
God promised Abraham a son to be named Isaac.
Issac means laughter, a name God picked.
(Do you know the meaning of your name?
May your name/legacy be acclaimed.)
When Abraham heard this, he laughed.
When Sarah heard this, she laughed.
They laughed in disbelief
for they thought they were ancient.
(Disbelief is doubting God can provide.
Doubting is the same as worry - it lies.)
You see, with God nothing is impossible.
That’s a promise because God is able.
And God always uses ordinary people
to show the world with Him all things are possible.
(How has God shown you all things are possible?
God uses ordinary people to prove He is able.)
As promised before Abram started his journey into the unknown,
God promised “Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation,
and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.
For God had chosen him,
so that he will direct his children
and his household after him
to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just,
so the Lord will bring about for Abraham
what he has promised him.”
Genesis 18:18-19
(God does not forget His promises.
As you wait, don’t become a doubting Thomas.)
Now Abraham, being ordinary, lied once again.
He said Sarah was his sister to Abimelech the king.
Sarah was to become the king’s wife but God intervened.
How could Sarah not speak up or at Abraham scream?
(Be careful what you speak
the seven days of the week -
for out of your mouth/heart comes blessings
and/or hurtful, condemning cursings.)
Abraham being fearful lied.
Abimelech asked him why.
It was the same lie as once before
saying his wife was his sister.
(Have you ever lied due to fear?
Did it benefit you, this fear?)
Despite Abraham’s failures as a human being,
God kept His promise He made at the beginning.
A promise only God could orchestrate
for these expectant parents.
(What have you been waiting on God for?
Praising God before receiving will open the door.)
Within the year, Issac was born
to two ordinary persons.
An extremely extraordinary event
for Abraham and Sarah were considered ancient.
(God always keeps His promises and is never late.
Learn to wait in expectation, to enjoy the journey, it’s great.)
For God who keeps His promises and cannot lie
was gracious to Abraham and Sarah by and by.
Issac was born when Abram was 100 years old.
Unbelievable but true. In the book of Genesis it’s told.
(Waiting does bring its rewards -
blessings, in other words.)
Their tent was filled with laughter
for Issac means laughter.
In God’s time, God’s promises to them came true.
In God’s time, God will keep His promises to you.
(What are you waiting on God to unveil?
Remember, God is working out the details.)
Years came and went. How quickly Issac grew.
God spoke to His friend Abraham anew.
God asked him to sacrifice his one and only son.
Abraham prepared to do as was asked of him.
(After waiting a lifetime for his promised son,
Abraham did not question God’s wisdom.)
It was a test. A test of obedience.
Through the years Abraham had learned obedience.
He learned to trust God’s ways, believing faith,
without wavering, a hard-earned belief.
(Abraham’s obedience was immediate.
A lesson he had learned through expedience.) experience
Abraham had learned through the years to trust God.
As we’ve learned through Abraham, it’s sometimes hard.
Abraham had learned to trust God’s timetable
for with God nothing is impossible.
(What has God asked of you that seemed impossible?
Did you question God? Or did you trust God to work out the obstacles?)
Abraham, being quite ordinary,
was asked to do the extraordinary
by God who does the impossible.
Yet Abraham trusted God was able.
(Would you call your faith believing faith?
Have you experienced God’s mercy and grace?)
When Issac asked his father where was the lamb,
Abraham answered, “God will provide, my son.”
Abraham had an extraordinary faith
in an extraordinary God – believing faith.
(Faith is trusting God is faithful
and trusting in God’s timetable.)
God did provide a lamb, found in a thicket,
for God was testing Abraham’s faith.
Abraham was more than willing to obey
for he had learned everything would turn out okay.
(Abraham obeyed without question. That’s believing faith.
Later God referred to Abraham as His friend. What grace!)
Abraham worshiped God then and there, as was his practice,
saying, “The Lord Will Provide” – without counting the price.
Just as when Abraham left his family and country,
he willingly obeyed for he knew God was with him, always.
(Is your obedience willingly?
Or do you count the cost sacrificially?)
The Lord reminded Abraham of His promises once again
stating his descendants would be as numerous as all the sand.
Yes, Abraham and Sarah, like us, were just two ordinary persons
who trusted an extraordinary God when they didn’t always understand.
(How has the extraordinary God impacted your life?
Have you shared His wonder-working in your life?)
They started out having faith that was immature
but as the story progresses their faith matured.
They developed believing faith in God who is able
and learned throughout life that with God nothing is impossible.
(What’s the difference between having faith
and Abraham and Sarah’s believing faith?)
Nothing is impossible when you have faith that believes.
It takes a lifetime to grow believing faith, you see,
as you learn to trust in God who oversees
and does what’s always best for you and me.
(Believing faith will turn your trust in God from ordinary to extraordinary.)
The Lord had said to Abram,
Leave your country your people and your father’s household
and go to the land I will show you,.
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.
Genesis 12:1-2
So Abram left, as the Lord had told him;
and Lot went with him.
Abram was 75 years old when he set out from Haran.
Genesis 12:4
The Lord took him outside and said,
Look up at the heavens and count the stars -
if indeed you can count them.
Then God said to him,
So shall your offspring be.
Abram believed the Lord,
and the Lord credited it to him as righteousness.
Genesis 15:5-6
I will surely bless you
and make your descendant as numerous as the stars in the sky
and as the sand on the seashore...
and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed,
because you have obeyed me.
Genesis 22:17
