Abraham Followed God (Genesis 11-13)
In today’s passage, we read how Abram began his journey of following God. He showed marvelous faith by believing the promises God made to him, and he walked in obedience to the command of God. God proved Himself faithful and used Abram to display the glories of His promises, which would one day be fulfilled through the sacrifice and resurrection of the only truly righteous One, Jesus Christ.
How did God use Abram’s story to demonstrate His faithfulness? How is Abram’s call to follow God similar to our own stories today?
We learn from Joshua 24:2 that Abram was not raised by a family that worshiped God, but by idol worshipers. He did not know the Word of God until the day he heard it spoken to him as an old man: “Go from your land... to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation” (Genesis 12:1-2). In the very next verse, Abram promptly obeyed and began his journey, just as the Lord had told him. God called him to leave the comforts of his familiar life in pursuit of God and His glory. Abram did not follow God perfectly, and still he was called a friend of God (James 2:23).
God drew near to Abram, calling him out of darkness and into His light. Today, the same God calls us to believe this same promise of rescue that was brought to completion through His Son, Jesus, who left the comforts of heaven and came into the world to save sinners. Jesus is the better Abram who trusted and obeyed the Father, “becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). The steps Abram took were out of faith—faith that God would keep him safe, provide for him, and keep His promises. Abram believed God was worthy of forsaking all else. When your kids hear this Bible story, may they take steps toward trusting the same God who is worthy of our love, trust, and faithful devotion.
Christ Connection: Abram believed God’s words and obeyed God's call to leave his land and his family. God promised to bless Abram and the whole world through one of Abram’s descendants. God kept this promise when He sent Jesus, who left heaven and came into the world to rescue sinners.
