Abram’s Faith Versus Human Security Instincts

Human beings naturally seek safety and control in their lives, often relying on various security measures to mitigate risks and protect themselves from potential dangers. Common examples include security cameras around homes, insurance policies for automobiles, homes, pets, and even identity theft protection. These precautions serve as tangible safety nets designed to keep threats at bay and provide a sense of stability in an unpredictable world ([15:30]). Such measures reflect an inherent desire to maintain control over one’s environment and future ([15:40]).

In stark contrast to this human inclination, the biblical figure Abram was called to relinquish all familiar sources of security—his land, family, and known surroundings—without any knowledge of his destination ([15:50]). This call required Abram to abandon the instinct to control and secure his future, instead placing complete trust in God’s plan, which was unknown and unseen ([16:00]). Abram’s obedience involved stepping away from comfort and certainty into the discomfort and uncertainty of the unknown, relying solely on God’s promises despite the absence of visible evidence or understanding ([16:03]).

This call to trust God’s word over human understanding represents a profound crisis of belief. Abram had to believe in God’s promise that he would become a great nation, even though his circumstances—advanced age and childlessness—made such a promise seem impossible ([19:30]). While people typically depend on tangible, human-made safeguards, faith demands trust in God’s word and plan, regardless of the lack of visible proof or control ([26:14]).

Faith involves believing God’s promises more than one’s own understanding or what can be seen. Just as individuals trust security systems and insurance policies to protect them, faith requires trusting in God’s promises even when the future is uncertain and uncomfortable ([26:37]). Abram’s obedience—leaving without knowing the destination—serves as a model of this trust, demonstrating that true faith entails leaving behind human safety nets and relying on the faithfulness of God’s word ([22:14]).

The analogy of modern security measures highlights the natural human tendency to seek safety and control, while Abram’s call exemplifies the necessity of abandoning these securities to trust in God’s unknown but faithful plan. Faith is ultimately about trusting God’s promises above one’s own understanding or perceived security, even when it requires stepping into discomfort and uncertainty ([16:00]).

This article was written by an AI tool for churches, based on a sermon from CrossPointe Church, one of 12 churches in Orlando, FL