Getting Started: The Journey of Faith
Key ideas
One of the characters presented in the “Courageous Faith” text is Abraham, who is strong in faith. Through faith, he has been able to hold on to God’s promises despite the challenges he goes through. From him, there are three ideas that I have gained from him that are of impact in my life. One of the ideas is to fully follow God even though the path he is taking you through is not clear. In the case of Abraham, there were so many unclear things that God made him go through. Despite him going through them, he was persistent with God and obeyed his commands fully. For example, when he was told by God to go and sacrifice his son, he did not hastate to go and sacrifice his son. In the book of Hebrews 11: 11, it shows that Abraham had faith in God, and he was ready to submit to his will. Also, the pain he went through was imaginable since he was required to sacrifice his one and only son(Hindison, 2003). However, despite this, he went ahead and sacrificed his son due to the faith he had in God.
Lessons’ from the character
The second idea relates to trusting God’s promises and embrace what comes along the way. In the case of Abraham, he was faced with many challenges in his walk with God. However, these challenges did not limit him from pursuing what God has promised him. From the book of Genesis 12:1-4, it says, ” Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land, I will show you.” Abraham trusted that God would bless him, and he decided to obey his commands(Hindison, 2003). God ordered him to leave his land and go to where he was going to show him.
Application of lessons learnt
The third idea is expecting that God will make the impossible things happen. When Abraham was on his way to sacrifice his son, the son kept on asking him about the lamb they were going to slaughter bet he kept telling his son that the Lord will provide. This shows that Abraham had faith in God, and he believed that he would provide for him. Also, becoming a father to the nation seemed impossible to Abraham, but God assured him that he would be. God promised him a son, yet his wife was barren. From Hebrews 11: 11-12, it says, ” Sarah herself was barren.” This is impossible according to human beings, but to God, it was possible.
From this chapter, I learn that Abraham was a man who feared God. He fully obeyed his commands, and he was not hesitant. For example, when God commanded him to sacrifice his son, he obeyed and went to the mountain to sacrifice his son. Also, when he was told to leave his land, he obeyed God’s word and decided to leave his people. The second thing I have learnt from Abraham is that he is a person of faith. From the different incidences he went through, it is evident that he had faith in God. He had faith that God would provide a sacrificial lamb for them. Genesis 12:1-4, says, ” I will make you a great nation and bless you.” Abraham believed that God would bless him, and this made him hold on to His promises.
From what I have learnt, faith is one of the key things that stands for me. This is a lesson that I can apply in my life. For example, when visiting the hospital on weekends to pray for the sick, I will encourage them to have faith in God and believe that he will heal them. I would also encourage them to have faith in his word since its God that heals.
References
Hindson, E. E. (2003). Courageous Faith: Life Lessons from Old Testament Heroes. AMG Publishers.