Examples of Faith #3—Abraham

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed … for he was waiting for the city with firm foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Hebrews 11:8–10

Abraham’s faith was completed through his works. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God and his believing was counted to him for righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. James 2:21–23

Because of how Abraham’s life turned out, his faith is worth imitating. When Yahweh called Abraham, it seems that everyone else in the world was busy trying to make names for themselves at the expense of the people around them. But Yahweh promised Abraham that he would make Abraham’s name great, give him a land and a posterity, and act in other supernatural ways on his behalf. So Abraham ceased worshiping the moon and entrusted his future to the One who created the moon. When Abraham died, he had only one heir and all that he owned in the promised land was his grave. But he had a name. God called him “my dear friend.” For Abraham had learned, through experience, to trust God more and more. Despite the failures of his faith at various points in his life, God did not abandon him. As God rescued him from the consequences of Abraham’s lapses in faith, the time between these lapses continually increased. God declared his faith to be right when it moved him to obey God’s command to leave his hometown. And years later God declared his faith to be right when he obeyed his command to entrust his son’s life to God’s willingness and ability to raise the dead. Because God remained faithful to Abraham, Abraham remained faithful to God. Through Isaiah, God says, “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek Yahweh: … Look to Abraham your father … I blessed him and did much for him.” We can anticipate the same.

O Abraham’s God and mine, open  the eyes of my heart to see and respond to your consistently gracious work in my life so I can be your dear friend also.