Faithful Journey: Abram's Call and God's Promises

Devotional

Day 1: Stepping into the Unknown with Faith

Abram's journey begins with a divine call to leave everything familiar and venture into the unknown. This call required immense faith and trust in God, who was revealing Himself in unprecedented ways. Abram's willingness to step out without knowing all the details is a powerful reminder that faith often requires us to move forward, even when the path is unclear. Trusting in God's promises, even when they seem distant or unclear, is a cornerstone of our spiritual journey. This leap of faith is not just about physical relocation but a spiritual pilgrimage that mirrors our own walk with God. [07:25]

Hebrews 11:8-9 (ESV): "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith, even though the path is unclear? How can you take a small step in that direction today?

Day 2: Trusting in God's Unchanging Promises

Despite the trials Abram faces, such as famine and fear, God's promises remain steadfast. This teaches us that God's word is unchanging and His promises are sure, even when circumstances seem dire. Our faith is strengthened when we remember that God's timing and methods are perfect. Abram's story is a testament to the unfolding revelation of God's character and His divine plan. As Abram obeys God's call, he becomes a vessel through which God begins to reveal His nature as a God who blesses, commands, and draws near. [09:47]

Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV): "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Reflection: Think of a promise from God that you are holding onto. How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness and unchanging nature in the midst of your current circumstances?

Day 3: The Power of Faithful Choices

Abram's decision to let Lot choose the land first highlights the importance of making choices based on faith rather than appearances. This serves as a reminder that what seems appealing may lead to destruction, while faith in God's promises leads to true blessing. Abram's heart remains focused on the promise of God, demonstrating a faith that looks beyond immediate gratification to the fulfillment of God's covenant. This narrative underscores the principle that choices have consequences, and faith-driven decisions align us with God's divine plan. [13:54]

Proverbs 14:12 (ESV): "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made. Was it based on faith or appearances? How can you seek God's guidance in future decisions to ensure they align with His promises?

Day 4: Embracing the Role of an Intercessor

Abram's rescue of Lot foreshadows the redemptive work of Yeshua. It reflects the heart of an intercessor, emphasizing that God calls us to stand in the gap for others, bringing freedom and restoration through His power. This act of redemption is celebrated with the encounter with Melchizedek, symbolizing the future significance of Jerusalem in God's redemptive plan. Abram's actions remind us of the importance of interceding for others, mirroring the ministry of Yeshua, who came to set the captives free. [15:50]

Ezekiel 22:30 (ESV): "And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none."

Reflection: Who in your life needs your intercession today? How can you stand in the gap for them through prayer and support?

Day 5: The Assurance of God's Covenant

The covenant God makes with Abram is a profound testament to His faithfulness. Despite Abram's doubts and attempts to fulfill God's promise through his own means, God remains committed to His covenant, ultimately changing Abram's name to Abraham and promising a son through Sarah. This covenant, sealed with a vision of a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch, signifies God's unbreakable promise and foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of His word through Yeshua. God's covenants are unbreakable, and His plans will come to pass in His perfect timing. [23:46]

Genesis 15:17-18 (ESV): "When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, 'To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates.'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle with doubt about God's promises? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness and the assurance of His covenant today?

Sermon Summary

In this week's exploration of the Torah portion "Lech Lecha," we delve into the profound journey of Abram, later known as Abraham, as he embarks on a path that would not only define his life but also lay the foundation for the coming of the Messiah. The narrative begins with God's call to Abram to leave his homeland and venture into the unknown, a call that required immense faith and trust in a God who was revealing Himself in ways previously unknown to the world. This journey is not just a physical relocation but a spiritual pilgrimage, a journey of faith that mirrors our own walk with God.

Abram's story is a testament to the unfolding revelation of God's character and His divine plan. As Abram obeys God's call, he becomes a vessel through which God begins to reveal His nature as a God who blesses, commands, and draws near. Despite the challenges and fears Abram faces, such as the famine that drives him to Egypt and the fear of losing his wife Sarai to Pharaoh, God's promises remain steadfast. These trials serve as a reminder that God's word is unchanging and His promises are sure, even when circumstances seem dire.

The narrative also highlights the importance of choices and the consequences they bring. Abram's decision to separate from Lot, allowing Lot to choose the seemingly fertile land of the Jordan Valley, underscores the principle that what appears appealing to the eye may lead to destruction. Abram's heart, however, remains focused on the promise of God, demonstrating a faith that looks beyond immediate gratification to the fulfillment of God's covenant.

A pivotal moment in Abram's journey is his rescue of Lot, which foreshadows the redemptive work of Yeshua. Abram's actions reflect the heart of an intercessor, a precursor to the ministry of Yeshua, who came to set the captives free. This act of redemption is celebrated with the encounter with Melchizedek, the king of Salem, who blesses Abram and receives a tithe, symbolizing the future significance of Jerusalem in God's redemptive plan.

Finally, the covenant God makes with Abram is a profound testament to His faithfulness. Despite Abram's doubts and attempts to fulfill God's promise through his own means, God remains committed to His covenant, ultimately changing Abram's name to Abraham and promising a son through Sarah. This covenant, sealed with a vision of a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch, signifies God's unbreakable promise and foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of His word through Yeshua.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith in the Unknown: Abram's journey begins with a call to leave everything familiar and venture into the unknown, a powerful reminder that faith often requires stepping out without knowing all the details. Trusting in God's promises, even when they seem distant or unclear, is a cornerstone of our spiritual journey. [07:25]
2. God's Unchanging Promises: Despite the trials Abram faces, such as famine and fear, God's promises remain steadfast. This teaches us that God's word is unchanging and His promises are sure, even when circumstances seem dire. Our faith is strengthened when we remember that God's timing and methods are perfect. [09:47]
3. The Power of Choices: Abram's decision to let Lot choose the land first highlights the importance of making choices based on faith rather than appearances. This serves as a reminder that what seems appealing may lead to destruction, while faith in God's promises leads to true blessing. [13:54]
4. Redemption and Intercession: Abram's rescue of Lot foreshadows the redemptive work of Yeshua. It reflects the heart of an intercessor, emphasizing that God calls us to stand in the gap for others, bringing freedom and restoration through His power. [15:50]
5. Covenant and Faithfulness: The covenant God makes with Abram is a profound testament to His faithfulness. Despite Abram's doubts, God remains committed to His promise, reminding us that His covenants are unbreakable and His plans will come to pass in His perfect timing. [23:46]
** [23:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:08] - Understanding God's Revelation
[03:35] - The Nature of God
[05:51] - God's Promise to Abram
[07:25] - Abram's Leap of Faith
[09:47] - Fear and God's Faithfulness
[12:18] - Abram and Lot's Separation
[13:54] - Choices and Consequences
[15:50] - Abram's Rescue Mission
[17:43] - Encounter with Melchizedek
[19:31] - The Significance of Jerusalem
[20:54] - Trials and God's Covenant
[23:46] - The Unbreakable Covenant
[24:27] - Abram's New Identity
[26:17] - The Promise of Isaac

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the initial call that God gave to Abram, and how did Abram respond to it? [07:25]
How did Abram's decision to let Lot choose the land first demonstrate his faith in God's promises? [13:54]
What significant event occurred when Abram rescued Lot, and how does it foreshadow future redemptive work? [15:50]
Describe the covenant God made with Abram and the symbolism of the smoking fire pot and flaming torch. [23:46]

Interpretation Questions

How does Abram's journey into the unknown reflect the nature of faith in God's promises, even when details are unclear? [07:25]
In what ways do Abram's trials, such as the famine and his fear in Egypt, illustrate the steadfastness of God's promises? [09:47]
How does the story of Abram and Lot's separation teach about the importance of making choices based on faith rather than appearances? [13:54]
What does Abram's encounter with Melchizedek reveal about the future significance of Jerusalem in God's redemptive plan? [17:43]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt called to step into the unknown. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Abram's example? [07:25]
When facing trials or fears, how can you remind yourself of God's unchanging promises? Share a specific promise from Scripture that encourages you. [09:47]
Consider a recent decision you made based on appearances rather than faith. How might you approach similar decisions differently in the future? [13:54]
In what ways can you act as an intercessor for others, standing in the gap to bring freedom and restoration through God's power? [15:50]
How does understanding God's covenant with Abram encourage you to trust in His faithfulness, even when you have doubts? [23:46]
Identify an area in your life where you are trying to fulfill God's promises through your own means. How can you surrender this to God and trust in His timing? [24:27]
How can the story of Abram's new identity as Abraham inspire you to embrace the new identity God has given you in Christ? [24:27]

Sermon Clips

with the word of life and truth as you open up your Torah to us, as we continue to grow week by week, as we begin to seek the scriptures from the very foundations of the earth to discover Yeshua where you are and how you established your very word of life, your character and your nature and all that we would see. [00:01:22]

But as we continue and we go into the story of Abraham and the stories that we get from here on out, each one becomes more and more important and a revealing of who the Messiah was going to be. A revealing of who our God is. Remember, the world doesn't know who God is yet. And even Israel, the first time they were hearing this Torah and Moses were putting these teachings together, even if they have been there and part of the oral tradition of Israel while they were slaves in Egypt, they were starting to learn who is our God. [00:02:08]

And so from weeks ago, we studied this. We learned that God has always been. That he is in heaven, but he's also a spirit, which is here in this earth. And he is the light of revelation and understanding of all things. He's a God who speaks. And he's a God who creates from nothing out of nothing. And God who separates. [00:03:02]

He's a God who used creation to bring forth creation. And he's a God who sees. A God who declares what is good and pleasant. He is the God who orders. And establishes. The God who works within time, while yet being beyond time. The very principles of the universe obey him. For he created them as he created all living things. God blesses. God releases his power. God commands. God draws near. God formed and breathed life. [00:03:35]

And I will bless you and make your name great so that you may be called to the kingdom of God. So that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you. And him who dishonors you, I will curse. And in you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed. God releases this astounding prophetic word to this old man. He's in his late 70s with his wife. And she's never been able to have a child. [00:06:23]

And he was like, okay. I will pack up and I will leave. I will pack up and I will go. And he left all that he knew. He left his people. He left his region. He left his family's gods. He left his people. He left his region. He left his family's gods. He left all these things. He left his mother and his father. He left his other siblings and the extended family. He left the wealth of the land that they had to go to a place that he had no idea what he was going to discover. [00:07:38]

And so too is each of us that the Lord speaks to us, reveals to us, gives us this opportunity. And if we, like Abram, have our ears opened and our heart made alive and we receive Yeshua. Yeshua comes. And he says, I've got a new life for you. I've got a new place for you. You've got a new citizenship. You're going to leave your mother and your father. You're going to leave your nation for you're becoming citizens of heaven. And it's a land that I'm going to show you, but not yet. [00:08:22]

And as he journeyed, he came to different places and he was small. He wasn't great yet. He wasn't mighty yet. He wasn't overflowing with wealth yet. He didn't have a lot of men. Men yet. He still needed protection. And when he came into new regions, he would grow afraid. And there was famine in the land. And it's amazing how many times that God will use famine to move people into an area to begin to experience the promises of God. [00:09:08]

And so Pharaoh saw her and took her. And then what did the Lord do? See, God had. He had spoken to Abram. I'm going to bless those who bless you. And I will curse him who curses you. And yet, Abraham believed God because he took his family and he left. But as soon as there was this greater adversary than he was expecting, this greater situation than he ever believed was going to come, he grew afraid. He grew afraid. Is the word of the Lord true? [00:10:40]

And the truth is, each one of us in Yeshua, it's the same. We don't have knowledge until we have experience. God speaks. Yeshua speaks. The word speaks. But only as we live with him, grow with him, experience with him, will we see the truth of what he has and what he has for us. [00:11:58]

And then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre, the Amorite, the brother of Eshol, of Anerah, and there were allies of Avram. And when Avram heard that his kinsmen had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. [00:15:23]

This army comes in and conquers these people, takes the plunder, and the goods, and the flocks, and the women, and the children, and all of them to become slaves. And Abram, something, a fire rises up inside Abram and says, No, I am not going to allow these people to be taken captive. I'm not going to be allowing these things to go and disappear. And he takes his men that he trained from birth to go after. And he comes and he conquers the enemy, and he takes the captives, and he sets the captives free. [00:15:23]

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