Living by Faith: Trusting God's Promises Over Sight
Summary
In our journey through Genesis, we have been reminded that God's covenant promise, initiated with Abraham, is a thread that weaves through the fabric of history, culminating in the fullness of Christ. As I reflect on my own life, particularly as I crossed the threshold of my sixtieth year, I am reminded of the human tendency to shift our gaze from the eternal to the temporal, from faith to sight. This shift is not unique to me; it is a struggle we all face.
The narrative of Abraham and Lot in Genesis 13 serves as a profound illustration of the contrast between living by faith and living by sight. Abraham, having returned from Egypt, rich in possessions but spiritually chastened, faced a conflict with Lot due to the insufficiency of the land to support their combined wealth. In a remarkable display of faith and trust in God's provision, Abraham allowed Lot to choose the portion of land he desired. Lot's choice, based on the lush and fertile appearance of the Jordan Valley, seemed wise to the eye, but it was a decision rooted in sight rather than faith.
Abraham's response to this situation was not one of grasping for the best or the most but was characterized by humility, generosity, and trust in God's promises. He knew that regardless of Lot's choice, God's promise to him was secure. This trust allowed Abraham to live with open hands, exemplifying a life of faith that looks beyond the immediate to the eternal promises of God.
As we consider our own lives, we must confront the areas where we live by sight rather than by faith. Whether it is concern over financial security, career advancement, or social standing, the temptation to prioritize the temporal over the eternal is ever-present. Yet, as believers, we are called to fix our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising its shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Key Takeaways:
- Living by faith requires a steadfast trust in God's promises, even when circumstances suggest otherwise. Abraham's willingness to let Lot choose first was not a sign of weakness but a profound trust in God's faithfulness. This kind of faith transforms our perspective, enabling us to live generously and without fear. [19:09]
- The choices we make based on sight can lead us down a path away from God's best for us. Lot's decision to settle near Sodom, while seemingly advantageous, was the first step toward his eventual downfall. Our decisions must be guided by faith and aligned with God's will to avoid similar pitfalls. [24:43]
- Worship is a natural response to God's faithfulness. Abraham's return to the place of his first altar represents a heart of repentance and worship. When we recognize God's grace in our lives, our response should be one of humble adoration and thanksgiving. [10:55]
- The journey of faith is progressive. Like Abraham, we are called to grow in our faith, learning from our mistakes and deepening our trust in God. This growth is a lifelong process that requires continual reliance on God's strength and grace. [12:48]
- Our ultimate example of living by faith is found in Jesus Christ. He endured the cross, focusing on the joy set before Him, and now reigns in glory. By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we are empowered to run the race of faith with endurance, laying aside every weight and sin that hinders us. [29:54]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 13:1-18 - The story of Abraham and Lot's separation and the choices they made.
2. Hebrews 12:1-2 - Encouragement to fix our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.
3. Galatians 2:20 - Living by faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was the main reason for the conflict between Abraham and Lot in Genesis 13? ([13:24])
2. How did Abraham demonstrate his faith in God when resolving the conflict with Lot? ([16:05])
3. What was Lot's primary consideration when choosing the land for himself? ([21:02])
4. According to Hebrews 12:1-2, what should believers focus on to run the race of faith with endurance?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Abraham's willingness to let Lot choose first reflect his trust in God's promises? ([16:46])
2. What are the potential dangers of making decisions based solely on what we see, as illustrated by Lot's choice? ([24:03])
3. How does the story of Abraham and Lot challenge us to evaluate our own decisions and priorities? ([26:16])
4. In what ways does Hebrews 12:1-2 encourage believers to persevere in their faith journey?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. Was it based more on faith or sight? How might you approach a similar decision differently in the future? ([01:54])
2. Abraham returned to the place of his first altar to worship God. Is there a "spiritual altar" in your life that you need to return to for renewal and worship? ([09:45])
3. Lot's choice led him closer to Sodom, a place of great wickedness. Are there areas in your life where you are compromising your faith for what seems advantageous? ([24:43])
4. How can you cultivate a habit of fixing your eyes on Jesus daily, especially when faced with challenging circumstances? ([29:54])
5. Abraham's faith allowed him to live generously and without fear. What steps can you take to live more generously and trust in God's provision? ([18:33])
6. Identify one area in your life where you are living by sight rather than by faith. What practical steps can you take this week to shift your focus to God's promises? ([33:09])
7. How can you encourage someone in your life who is struggling to live by faith? What specific actions or words might help them refocus on God's promises? ([34:09])
Devotional
Day 1: Trust in God's Faithfulness Transforms Perspective
When faced with decisions that impact our lives and those around us, it's easy to rely solely on what we can see and measure. However, living by faith invites us to trust in God's promises, even when they seem counterintuitive or when the outcome is not immediately clear. Abraham's decision to let Lot choose the land he desired was a radical act of trust in God's faithfulness. It was not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of strength found in surrender to God's will. This kind of faith allows us to live generously, without fear, and with a sense of peace that comes from knowing our future is secure in God's hands. It challenges us to look beyond our immediate circumstances and to trust that God is working for our good, even when we cannot see it. [19:09]
"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly." - Psalm 84:11
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's faithfulness, and how can you begin to surrender it to Him today?
Day 2: Sight-Based Choices Can Lead Us Astray
The allure of immediate gratification or apparent success can often cloud our judgment, leading us to make decisions based on sight rather than faith. Lot's choice to settle near Sodom appeared to be a wise one from a worldly perspective, but it ultimately led him away from God's best for his life. This serves as a cautionary tale for us to consider the long-term spiritual implications of our choices. Decisions made in haste or based on superficial appearances can have lasting consequences. Instead, we are encouraged to seek God's guidance, to align our choices with His will, and to trust that He knows what is best for us, even when it may not align with what we can see or understand. [24:43]
"Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered." - Proverbs 28:26
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made based on sight rather than faith. How can you seek God's wisdom in future decisions to ensure they align with His will?
Day 3: Worship as a Response to God's Faithfulness
Recognizing God's faithfulness in our lives naturally leads to a response of worship and thanksgiving. Abraham's return to the place of his first altar is a powerful example of a heart turned towards God in repentance and adoration. Worship is not just a Sunday activity but a daily posture of the heart that acknowledges God's sovereignty and grace. It is an act of humility, recognizing that every blessing we have is a result of God's goodness. As we cultivate a lifestyle of worship, we become more attuned to God's presence and work in our lives, and our hearts overflow with gratitude for His unending faithfulness. [10:55]
"Then Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord." - Genesis 13:18
Reflection: How can you incorporate worship into your daily routine as a response to recognizing God's grace in your life?
Day 4: Faith's Journey is Progressive and Lifelong
Our faith journey is not static; it is a continuous process of growth and learning. Like Abraham, we are called to deepen our trust in God, learning from our past mistakes and leaning into His strength and grace. This growth requires a willingness to be shaped and molded by God's hand, to be patient in the process, and to remain committed to the path of faithfulness. As we progress in our faith, we will encounter challenges and obstacles, but these are opportunities to further rely on God and to witness His power at work in our lives. [12:48]
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." - Philippians 1:6
Reflection: What is one lesson you have learned from a past mistake, and how can you apply that lesson to grow in your faith today?
Day 5: Jesus, Our Ultimate Example of Faith
Jesus Christ is the perfect embodiment of living by faith. He endured the cross, focusing on the joy set before Him, and now sits in glory at the right hand of God. His example inspires us to run our own race of faith with endurance, setting aside distractions and sins that hinder us. By keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, we find the strength to face trials, to persevere in faith, and to live in a way that honors God. He is not only our Savior but also our role model, showing us how to live a life of faith that is pleasing to God and transformative for us. [29:54]
"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2
Reflection: What 'weight' or sin is hindering your faith journey, and how can you lay it aside to run with endurance the race set before you?
Quotes
1) "When you believe what God promises us in His word, you will be generous with what God has provided you with. You can't help but be generous; you'll stop grasping and start trusting in God." [19:09] (Download)
2) "Living by faith and trusting in God... Abram understood that all the land they were looking at didn't matter what Lot chose; it was all his anyway because God had promised it to him." [18:33] (Download)
3) "We must follow Abram's example and return to trusting God... Abram was making progress. We see a different [person] in Chapter 13 than we see in chapter 12; he's growing in his trust for the Lord." [12:11] (Download)
4) "We need to look to Jesus, amen. That's how we keep living by faith, is keeping our eyes on Christ, the founder and perfecter of our faith." [29:16] (Download)
5) "Living by sight, which is what Lot's doing, leads to deception in our lives and disobedience, and ultimately to our destruction." [26:54] (Download)
6) "Abram's response... was not one of grasping for the best or the most but was characterized by humility, generosity, and trust in God's promises." [17:27] (Download)
7) "The ability to even live by faith starts when we're born again... For those of us that are born again... does living by faith happen automatically? No... we have a strong tendency to want to live by sight." [11:30] (Download)
8) "How are you going to live tomorrow? Are you going to live more by sight as we see Lot living by sight, or are we going to live more by faith?" [33:40] (Download)
9) "Abram... was obedient in doing what God had told him to do... he walked by faith but he also worshiped by faith... trusting God and thanking God, he's praising God for how God has provided." [31:08] (Download)
10) "Abram... wasn't worried about self... he is at a point where he is not worried about self, and we know that he only way he could get there is he is trusting and living by faith." [16:46] (Download)
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