Psalm 56:3-4; Genesis 12:1-4; Matthew 14:28-30 (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Stepping out gives the connotation of getting out of a comfort zone into the unknown. Stepping out in faith paints the picture of leaving behind all that is familiar and boldly embracing a new world – the unknown. The currency of transportation into the unknown is bold faith that all will be well. Now faith calls for one to ‘see’ what the naked eye cannot see. All one may have is a vision and that becomes the power that fuels the movement from the known to the unknown.
God called Abram to step out in faith, from his people and all that he knew, to a land that God would show him. Apart from his wife Sarai, Lot his nephew, servants and flocks, all he left Haran with was faith in this God who revealed himself to him, and gave the promise to be with him. God promised to bless him and make him a great nation.
Why step out in faith?
i. Stepping into the unknown requires great faith. As a man of 75 years, Abram was already set in his ways (Genesis 12:1). He was already a big part of his family, both nuclear and extended, and, community. He had much wealth in animals and servants. He was beginning to look into his sunset years when God commanded him to begin anew. Was an old man of his age and stature possibly going to start afresh? What was he going to do then that he had not done already. The thought of moving away and beginning again required audacious faith from him. He was going to unlearn old ways and learn new ways for him to succeed in the mission God was setting him on.
ii. The task at hand is greater than anything you can fathom. God promised to make him a great nation (Genesis 12:2) yet he didn’t have a child as yet. Humanly speaking, the window of child bearing had closed up on him and Sarai and so this was more than just a mind-boggling possibility. How were they to expect a child so late into their years? Were they going to live to see their generations? What did God mean when he said he would make him into a great nation? These questions and more would require a bold faith in order to get answers.
iii. Stepping out in faith is important because it is what helps us to remain focused on God and what he is calling us to do. It took great faith for Peter to ask Jesus to bid him come walking on water. For as long as his focus was on the Lord, Peter managed to walk on water. However, when his focused shifted and he realised that the sea was rough, he begun to sink (Matthew 12:28-30).
What do we need for us to step out in faith?
i. We need to realise that it is God who calls us and commands us to go forth. Obedience to him determines whether or not we can step out in faith. If Abram had not obeyed God’s call to leave his home country, his story would definitely have taken a different trajectory. His boldness in faith is what made him the father of nations (Genesis 12:2, 15:6; Galatians 3:6; Hebrews 11:8-10).
ii. We need to put our complete trust in the One who calls us. God knows our entire life more than we know it (Psalm 139). God who calls us is faithful (1 Thess 5:24) to ensure that his promises come to pass within our lifetime.
iii. We can borrow a leaf from men and women of faith (the cloud of witnesses, Hebrews 12:1) that have gone ahead of us knowing that God who gave them victory will also give us victory.
As we go towards the end of the year, may we take stock of times in 2025 when the LORD prompted us to step out in faith. It may have been in service to others or even a personal quest. How have you fared so far? Have you obeyed or have you let fear grip your heart like Peter and you dropped the ball?
May the LORD help us to always step out in faith, trusting in his leading and obeying His voice. SHALOM!
