Live by Faith & See Faith's Rewards
Trusting God's Leading: Lessons from Abraham's Journey
Abraham's journey of faith offers powerful insights into how we should trust God's leading in our lives. When we examine Genesis 13, we see Abraham at a pivotal moment after returning from Egypt with his nephew Lot. Their wealth had increased so much that they could no longer dwell in the same place, leading to a separation that would reveal the stark difference between living by faith versus living by sight.
The Consequences of Living by Sight
Lot chose to live by sight. When given the option to select which direction to go, he looked toward the well-watered plains of Sodom and Gomorrah, a place that appeared as beautiful as the Garden of Eden. He made his decision based on what looked good to his eyes rather than seeking God's guidance.
This is a pattern many of us fall into. We make choices based on what we can see, understand, or control, rather than trusting God's unseen plan. But as Scripture reminds us, the choices we make today often don't play out until years later. The principle of sowing and reaping is as real as the law of gravity, plant an apple seed, and you'll get an apple tree; plant wickedness, and you'll reap its fruit.
What Hinders God's Voice in Our Lives?
After Lot departed, something remarkable happened, God spoke to Abraham again. This raises an important question: what had been silencing God's voice before this moment?
Abraham had previously made the mistake of going to Egypt during a famine instead of trusting God. From Egypt, he and Lot returned with great wealth, but also with strife. Sometimes the things we bring back from our "Egypt" (representing worldly solutions) can silence God's voice in our lives.
Even when we're in "Bethel" (which means "house of God"), we can bring worldly attitudes and possessions that create discord. Wealth doesn't automatically bring peace—in fact, it often brings complications. What are we bringing into God's house that might be causing strife and silencing His voice?
Standing Between God's House and Ruin
The text tells us Abraham built an altar between Bethel and Hai. Interestingly, Bethel means "house of God," while Hai means "house of ruin." Abraham was literally standing between God's way and destruction.
Many of us find ourselves in this same position, caught between following God completely and returning to our old ways. We might attend church and go through religious motions, but still hold onto things that keep us from fully surrendering to God.
What Does True Faith Look Like?
After Abraham let Lot choose first and trusted God with his own future, God's promise became more specific than ever before. God showed Abraham the promised land in all directions, north, south, east, and west, and promised him descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth.
But Hebrews 11:8-10 reveals something profound about Abraham's faith: "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going... For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."
Abraham understood something we often miss: this life is not about this life. It's not about accumulating possessions or following our hearts, it's about Jesus.
The Pattern of Faith and Testing
There's an important pattern we should recognize: whenever we take a step of faith, God often allows a trial to follow. When Abraham first arrived in the promised land, a famine hit. This wasn't coincidence, it was an opportunity for Abraham to either trust God or trust himself.
Every trial presents us with only two choices: let God get us through it, or try to get through it ourselves. When trials come after steps of faith, our natural tendency is to think, "God, I've obeyed you, and now you're silent. I don't know what to do, so I'll go back to what I know."
But 2 Timothy 3:12 reminds us: "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Trials don't mean God has abandoned us, they're opportunities to strengthen our faith.
Finding Our Way Back to Faith
What if we've already strayed from God's path? Is there a way back? Absolutely. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
Returning to God starts with repentance. It means going back to Bethel (God's house) and being willing to sacrifice again. Romans 12:1 urges us to "present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Sometimes God remains silent until we're willing to let go of the things hindering our faith. The question we must ask is: What is keeping me from living by faith? Is there a relationship I'm trying to fix that I need to give to the Lord? Is there something I'm holding onto that I need to surrender?
Life Application
The reward for living by faith isn't necessarily material prosperity, it's Jesus Himself. When we choose to trust God, we discover that He is enough in every circumstance. Whether we're on the mountaintop or in the valley, Jesus remains our constant companion and reward.
This week, take time to examine what might be hindering your faith:
Remember, faith isn't about having all the answers, it's about trusting the One who does. As Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us: "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."
The just shall live by faith. Not by sight, not by understanding, not by control, but by faith in a God who has proven Himself faithful time and time again.
Abraham's journey of faith offers powerful insights into how we should trust God's leading in our lives. When we examine Genesis 13, we see Abraham at a pivotal moment after returning from Egypt with his nephew Lot. Their wealth had increased so much that they could no longer dwell in the same place, leading to a separation that would reveal the stark difference between living by faith versus living by sight.
The Consequences of Living by Sight
Lot chose to live by sight. When given the option to select which direction to go, he looked toward the well-watered plains of Sodom and Gomorrah, a place that appeared as beautiful as the Garden of Eden. He made his decision based on what looked good to his eyes rather than seeking God's guidance.
This is a pattern many of us fall into. We make choices based on what we can see, understand, or control, rather than trusting God's unseen plan. But as Scripture reminds us, the choices we make today often don't play out until years later. The principle of sowing and reaping is as real as the law of gravity, plant an apple seed, and you'll get an apple tree; plant wickedness, and you'll reap its fruit.
What Hinders God's Voice in Our Lives?
After Lot departed, something remarkable happened, God spoke to Abraham again. This raises an important question: what had been silencing God's voice before this moment?
Abraham had previously made the mistake of going to Egypt during a famine instead of trusting God. From Egypt, he and Lot returned with great wealth, but also with strife. Sometimes the things we bring back from our "Egypt" (representing worldly solutions) can silence God's voice in our lives.
Even when we're in "Bethel" (which means "house of God"), we can bring worldly attitudes and possessions that create discord. Wealth doesn't automatically bring peace—in fact, it often brings complications. What are we bringing into God's house that might be causing strife and silencing His voice?
Standing Between God's House and Ruin
The text tells us Abraham built an altar between Bethel and Hai. Interestingly, Bethel means "house of God," while Hai means "house of ruin." Abraham was literally standing between God's way and destruction.
Many of us find ourselves in this same position, caught between following God completely and returning to our old ways. We might attend church and go through religious motions, but still hold onto things that keep us from fully surrendering to God.
What Does True Faith Look Like?
After Abraham let Lot choose first and trusted God with his own future, God's promise became more specific than ever before. God showed Abraham the promised land in all directions, north, south, east, and west, and promised him descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth.
But Hebrews 11:8-10 reveals something profound about Abraham's faith: "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going... For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."
Abraham understood something we often miss: this life is not about this life. It's not about accumulating possessions or following our hearts, it's about Jesus.
The Pattern of Faith and Testing
There's an important pattern we should recognize: whenever we take a step of faith, God often allows a trial to follow. When Abraham first arrived in the promised land, a famine hit. This wasn't coincidence, it was an opportunity for Abraham to either trust God or trust himself.
Every trial presents us with only two choices: let God get us through it, or try to get through it ourselves. When trials come after steps of faith, our natural tendency is to think, "God, I've obeyed you, and now you're silent. I don't know what to do, so I'll go back to what I know."
But 2 Timothy 3:12 reminds us: "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Trials don't mean God has abandoned us, they're opportunities to strengthen our faith.
Finding Our Way Back to Faith
What if we've already strayed from God's path? Is there a way back? Absolutely. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
Returning to God starts with repentance. It means going back to Bethel (God's house) and being willing to sacrifice again. Romans 12:1 urges us to "present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Sometimes God remains silent until we're willing to let go of the things hindering our faith. The question we must ask is: What is keeping me from living by faith? Is there a relationship I'm trying to fix that I need to give to the Lord? Is there something I'm holding onto that I need to surrender?
Life Application
The reward for living by faith isn't necessarily material prosperity, it's Jesus Himself. When we choose to trust God, we discover that He is enough in every circumstance. Whether we're on the mountaintop or in the valley, Jesus remains our constant companion and reward.
This week, take time to examine what might be hindering your faith:
- What "Egyptian baggage" are you carrying that's silencing God's voice in your life?
- Are you standing between Bethel and Hai—between full commitment to God and returning to old ways?
- What specific thing is God asking you to surrender that you've been reluctant to release?
- How might your current trials be opportunities to strengthen your faith rather than reasons to doubt?
Remember, faith isn't about having all the answers, it's about trusting the One who does. As Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us: "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."
The just shall live by faith. Not by sight, not by understanding, not by control, but by faith in a God who has proven Himself faithful time and time again.
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