As Abram leaves the promised land to go to Egypt during a famine, we want to tell him: don’t run from the test. God had just made several fantastic promises to Abram. Genesis 12: 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”[1]
Even beyond these promises, God had also promised this nomad land. Abram was camped by the oak of Moreh when God gave a surprising message. Genesis 12:7b “I will give this land to your descendants.”[2] Abram didn’t understand that tests often follow triumphs. I think God allowed a famine to help build the faith in this man who had great promises.
God knows where we are in our faith and often tests us so that we understand our current level of faith. It happens often in Scripture. After the victory of leaving Egypt there was the test of the Red Sea. Peter was sure he was willing to go to prison or death the night of the Last Supper. He ended up denying Jesus three times only hours later.
Trusting Self Instead of the Lord
I’m sure Abram was surprised and confident in the future after God had given him amazing promises. Instead of consulting God, Abram seems to depend on himself to address the famine problem. Genesis 12: 10 At that time a severe famine struck the land of Canaan, forcing Abram to go down to Egypt, where he lived as a foreigner. [3]
Instead of remaining in the promised land and depending on God for His provision, Abram went down to Egypt. Scripture often symbolizes Egypt as the bondage of the world system. Abram seems to doubt God’s promises and turns to the world for a solution to the famine. God is gracious, even though Abram doubts, and there is a lesson for Abram.
Stay in God’s Will
Abram had a part in God’s grand plan for humanity, and his faith had to be solid to stay in God’s will. Remaining in God’s will is a safe place. Abram would have been safer in the famine than going out of His will in Egypt. William Wiersbe said, “The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.”[4] From this, we learn that we must remain wherever God has placed us until He tells us to move.
When tests come, and they will, we need to ask the right question. Our first question is often, “How can I get out of this?” When we know that God tests us to strengthen our faith, our question should be, “What can I learn from this?” In life’s unexpected turns, God’s promises remain steadfast. Our God is faithful in providing and guiding us toward His will even when evidence suggests otherwise. This means we don’t run from the test but turn to God in faith. When we do this, God will give us surprising solutions to our problems. Then He, not us, will get the honor and glory for what He does.
To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/when-faith-meets-fear
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1991). Be Obedient (p. 23). Victor Books.