Faith's Journey: Returning to God and Trusting His Promises

Today’s focus was on the journey of faith, as seen through the life of Abram in Genesis 13, and how that journey speaks into our own lives. Abram’s story is one of returning to God after a season in Egypt—a place of uncertainty and perhaps spiritual dryness. Yet, God’s faithfulness remained, and Abram’s first act upon returning was to seek the Lord in worship, reminding us that no matter where we’ve been, God’s invitation to return is always open. The narrative of Abram and Lot’s separation is a powerful illustration of faith in action. Abram, though the recipient of God’s promise, humbly allowed Lot to choose first, trusting not in what his eyes could see, but in the faithfulness of God’s word. Lot, on the other hand, chose by sight, not by faith, and his decision led him closer to Sodom, a place of spiritual danger.

Faith is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of trusting God, especially when circumstances are unclear or when the promises seem impossible. Abram’s willingness to let go, to not grasp for what was promised, but to trust God’s timing and provision, is a model for us. True faith is demonstrated not by striving or self-effort, but by surrender—by seeking God first, living in worship, and allowing Him to fulfill His promises in His way. The call is to examine where our faith is placed: is it in ourselves, in what we can see, or in the unchanging word and character of God?

We are reminded that God’s promises are received by faith, not by our own striving. Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God; without it, we cannot please Him. It is through faith that we experience freedom from sin, victory in our struggles, and the ability to discern God’s will. The encouragement is to return to the place of worship, to draw near to God, and to trust Him with every aspect of our lives. As we do, we find that He is faithful, and His promises are sure.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Returning to God after a season of spiritual dryness is always possible because of His faithfulness. Like Abram, we may find ourselves in an “Egypt”—a place where we drift or feel distant from God—but His invitation to return in worship and dependence is always open. Our past does not disqualify us from God’s promises; in fact, His sovereignty often works through our detours to accomplish His purposes. [56:24]
• 2. Faith is not passive belief but active trust that shapes our decisions, especially when the way forward is unclear. Abram’s willingness to let Lot choose first, despite being the heir of God’s promise, reveals a faith that rests in God’s character rather than in visible circumstances. This kind of faith surrenders control and allows God to fulfill His word in His timing, even when it seems counterintuitive. [61:23]
• 3. The choices we make by sight, rather than by faith, can lead us into spiritual danger, as seen in Lot’s decision to settle near Sodom. Even when something appears attractive or advantageous, if it is not rooted in seeking God’s will, it can draw us away from His best. True discernment comes from a posture of worship and humility, not from grasping at what looks good to the natural eye. [63:09]
• 4. God’s promises are received and activated by faith, not by striving or self-effort. The spiritual law of “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” is as real and unbreakable as gravity; when we prioritize God and His ways, He provides for our needs and fulfills His promises. Faith is the means by which we participate in God’s divine nature and escape the corruption of the world. [67:49]
• 5. Faith is the foundation for victory over sin and for discerning God’s will. Without faith, we are left to our own strength, which leads to frustration and defeat. But when we fix our eyes on Jesus and trust in His word, we experience true freedom, transformation, and the ability to walk in God’s purposes. Faith is not just believing in God’s existence, but actively relying on Him in every area of life. [76:14]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [27:18] - Communion: Receiving Life in Christ
• [28:42] - Blessing and Prayer for Children
• [30:01] - Announcements and Community Life
• [31:18] - Offering and God’s Generosity
• [31:57] - Bible Reading: Genesis 13
• [35:28] - Reflective Prayer: Psalm 16 and Testimony
• [42:58] - Introduction to Genesis 13: Context and Faith
• [46:08] - What is Faith? Everyday Examples
• [48:49] - Abram’s Journey: Faith Growing Through Trials
• [51:57] - Returning to Worship After Egypt
• [55:48] - God’s Sovereignty in Our Detours
• [58:11] - The Separation of Abram and Lot
• [61:23] - Faith Versus Sight: The Choices of Abram and Lot
• [67:49] - The Spiritual Law of Seeking God First
• [69:08] - God Affirms His Promise: Walking by Faith
• [76:14] - Faith, Freedom, and Victory Over Sin
• [78:46] - Worship and the Renewed Mind
• [80:41] - Invitation to Return to Faith and Worship
• [82:36] - Closing Prayer and Worship Song
• [87:51] - Final Blessing and Sending Out

Bible Reading

Genesis 13 (ESV) — 1 So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb.
2 Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.
3 And he journeyed on by stages from the Negeb as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai,
4 to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord.
5 And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents,
6 so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together,
7 and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.
8 Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.
9 Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.”
10 And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)
11 So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other.
12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom.
13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord.
14 The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward,
15 for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.
16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted.
17 Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.”
18 So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord.

Additional Passages: —
- Matthew 6:33 (ESV):
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

- James 4:8 (ESV):
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”

Observation Questions

1. When Abram returned from Egypt, what was the first thing he did, and why is this significant in the story? [[51:57]]
2. What was the reason Abram and Lot had to separate, and how did Abram handle the situation? [[58:11]]
3. How did Lot make his decision about where to settle, and what does the text say about the place he chose? [[01:00:06]]
4. After Lot left, what did God say to Abram, and what action did God ask Abram to take? [[01:09:08]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Abram chose to let Lot pick first, even though God had promised the land to Abram? What does this reveal about Abram’s faith? [[01:01:23]]
2. The sermon described Egypt as a place of spiritual dryness or detour. What might “Egypt” represent in a believer’s life today, and how does Abram’s return to worship speak to this? [[55:48]]
3. Lot chose by sight, not by faith, and ended up near Sodom. What are some dangers of making decisions based only on what looks good to us? [[01:03:09]]
4. The sermon said that faith is not just belief, but active trust and surrender. How is this different from simply believing God exists? [[01:14:54]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon talked about “returning to God after a season of spiritual dryness.” Have you ever experienced a time when you felt far from God, like being in “Egypt”? What helped you return, or what could help you return now? [[55:48]]
2. Abram let go of his right to choose first and trusted God’s promise. Is there an area in your life where you are tempted to grasp for control instead of trusting God’s timing? What would it look like to surrender that area to God? [[01:01:23]]
3. Lot’s choice was based on what looked good, but it led him closer to spiritual danger. Can you think of a time when you made a decision based on appearances or immediate benefit, and it didn’t turn out well? What would it look like to seek God’s will first in your decisions? [[01:03:09]]
4. The sermon said, “Faith is the foundation for victory over sin and for discerning God’s will.” Is there a struggle or area of sin where you need to trust God’s promise instead of your own strength? What step of faith could you take this week? [[01:16:14]]
5. The spiritual law of “seek first the kingdom of God” was compared to gravity—unchangeable and always true. What is one practical way you can put God first in your daily routine this week? [[01:07:49]]
6. The sermon encouraged returning to worship and drawing near to God. What does “worship” look like for you outside of Sunday services? Is there a way you can intentionally create space for worship in your week? [[51:57]]
7. The message ended with an invitation to fix our eyes on Jesus and trust Him with every aspect of our lives. Is there a specific area where you need to shift your focus from yourself to Jesus? How can the group support you in this? [[01:21:54]]