November 5 | By Faith Abraham Left his Family
Hebrews 11:8, “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.”
Imagine being a tribal herdsman following in the ways of your ancestors and all of a sudden you hear the voice of God directing you to leave your family to become a mighty nation. That is exactly what happened to Abraham! Moses recorded the story in Genesis 12:1-2, “1 The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 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.’”
Abram (which means, “exalted father,” was his name before God changed it to Abraham, “father of multitudes”) left his father’s household by faith and followed God to the promise land. He was childless for many years, but eventually had Isaac, the child of promise from his wife Sarah, at a hundred years old! Isaac then became the father of Jacob and Jacob then fathered the twelve tribes of Israel. However, in Abraham’s lifetime he never saw a great nation, he only lived to see Isaac born. Plus, he never saw his descendants occupy the promise land- he only lived in a small portion of it.
At the same time, because Abraham was faithful to leave his father’s house the Israelite nation was born and God was given a people to establish His covenant with. Abraham not only produced millions of physical decedents (the Jewish people), but literally billions of spiritual descendants (followers of Jesus) because of his faith to leave his family and follow God. Paul said in Galatians 3:29, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
We can learn from Abraham’s faith that we have to leave our old ways behind to experience the new life God has for us. At different times in life we have to be ready to even leave certain people behind that don’t serve God. Jim Elliot said, “God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with him.”
We have to leave certain people behind in life not because we don’t love them but because we don’t want to be negatively influenced by them.
Jesus said in Luke 14:26-27, “26 If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Therefore, Abraham’s faith challenges every disciple of Christ to always seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness because when we do, all the other things that we need will be added unto us (Matthew 6:33).
Reflection
Do you have enough faith in God to leave some people behind to follow God’s plan for your life?
Action
- Ask God if there are people or things you need to leave behind to fulfill your calling.
- Pray for the people you need to move away from in life that they too will follow Jesus.
- By faith, like Abraham, live in a such a way that you leave behind a legacy that impacts generations to come.
One Year Reading Plan
Ezekiel 12:1-14:11, Hebrews 7:1-17, Psalm 105:37-45, & Proverbs 27:3. Click here to read online.