Bible Study (1) - Walking in Confidence - The Basis for Confidence - Genesis 12:1-8 - October 17, 2021

 

Bible Study – Walking in Confidence (1) – The Basis for Confidence – October 17, 2021

This is lesson one (1) in our series entitled, “Walking in Confidence.”

Our focus scripture is Genesis 12:1-8.

Confidence comes from trusting GOD.

If you have not read/studied the previous series “No Doubt: Six Things We Can Know for Sure”, I encourage you to do so. It is the culmination of GOD’S redemptive plan through faith in JESUS.  

The foundation upon which GOD is building is faith in JESUS.

Faith in JESUS is the foundation upon which all who desire to walk with GOD must have. Faith moves mountains and builds the right relationship with GOD. Let’s explore!

We will explore the hallmark of faith, Abram/Abraham. Moses wrote this account of Abram in Genesis. We get to study the foundation of faith through the life of Abram/Abraham. Moses used the sacred Hebrew for GOD, YAHWEH, when he wrote GOD or LORD.

Abram’s earthly father was Terah. Terah worshipped idols and was an idol maker. Likely, when growing up, Abram, was exposed to idol worship. Did GOD work in Abram’s heart to expose idols for what they are, simply shapes in wood or stone that have no power beyond what we as humans give them?

Did GOD place a yearning into Abram’s heart that all he saw was created and designed by the true GOD of the universe? Is this the true GOD that Abram desired to get to know? GOD knows our heart and HE works within each of us to build truth and expose the false.

The life and Spiritual journey of Abram had its ups and downs. Some aspects of Abram’s Spiritual journey are not very pretty but they reveal truth and reflect our faith building journey with GOD through faith in JESUS. The Good News is that we have the Bible and the indwelling Holy Spirit to confirm CHRIST in us, enlighten, teach, guide and so much more in our hearts as Spirit-born people. As Spirit-born people we walk in the light as JESUS is the light of the world. When we stumble, HE picks us up and encourages us to continue our journey with HIM.

Let’s join the Spiritual journey of Abram. We must keep in our minds that GOD builds within each Spirit-born person, his or her, own unique relationship with HIM using the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Let’s explore!

Just imagine, if you were minding your own business and you heard a voice instructing you to ------

Let’s read Genesis 12:1-3:

The Call of Abram

12 The Lord said to Abram:

Go from your land,
your relatives,
and your father’s house
to the land that I will show you.
² I will make you into a great nation,
I will bless you,
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
³ I will bless those who bless you,
I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt,
and all the peoples on earth
will be blessed^[a] through you.^[b]

Notice that GOD called Abram. GOD still calls HIS chosen to serve HIM today. Every pastor, missionary, teacher, Christian, business person, trades person, parent and the list goes on is called by GOD to serve in a particular function in HIS Kingdom.

The still-small voice from GOD, The Holy Spirit, still actively calls HIS Children into action.

GOD equips all Christians with the indwelling Holy Spirit, to assure us of our salvation, to equip, to teach and enlighten us to the truth, to seal us until the day of redemption, to guide us, to produce Spiritual fruit and the list goes on.

In our scripture, in this study, we see the foundation of faith that is vital for having the right relationship with GOD. We read in Genesis 15:6:

⁶ Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Abram put action to his faith in GOD. Some may say, “Well, I believe in GOD.” If you do, then you need to accept JESUS as your Savior because that is HIS command. JESUS opened the door or Spiritual path between GOD and mankind. The only path to GOD is through faith in JESUS.

Let’s consider what faith in action means when we are called by GOD.

GOD called Abram to go to a place that GOD would reveal to him as he proceeded. This is still true today. GOD calls and often leads us by revealing small segments at a time for us to travel. As we take small steps of faith, GOD is building both confidence and our relationship with HIM. GOD is often preparing us for even bigger steps as HE builds our faith in HIM.

We can think of walking by faith by the light that GOD gives us. It is like when we use a flashlight in the darkest of night. As we walk toward our destination, the light illumines the path as we move. If we stand still, we don’t move forward but when we move the light moves with us.

When we know the full life of Abram, we see that he was not perfect but GOD had a plan for him in HIS redemptive plan for mankind. GOD tested Abram and taught him through these tests. Keep that in mind as you journey with JESUS.

Go back to verses 1-3 and consider the promises GOD made to Abram.

GOD kept HIS promises to Abram and HE keeps HIS promises with all who place their faith in JESUS.

If you think GOD has let you down, go to HIM and tell HIM what’s on your mind and ask HIM to reveal truth to you. HE will but you have to go to HIM and ask HIM to help you to understand “the why” of any question or grievance you have with GOD.

That is what I did before going through “Experiencing GOD.” I had issues that I had saved to have a one-on-one conversation with GOD when I get to Heaven. Before I began the study, “Experiencing GOD,” I told GOD we were going to have that discussion while I was still upon earth. I am sure GOD was shaking. But guess what? When I got through “Experiencing GOD,” I have nothing more to discuss with HIM. WOW! HE was correct and I was wrong in the issues I had accumulated for us to discuss. Imagine that! But you know what? HE listened and responded. GOD is a Christian’s best friend and reveals truth.

In Matthew 1, “1 An account of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham,” we read that the genealogy of JESUS traces back to Abraham. It is upon the faith in Abraham that GOD builds HIS redemptive plan for all mankind. The Bible is GOD’S redemptive plan culminating with the life, death, resurrection and the ascension of JESUS. In turn, GOD sent the Holy Spirit to confirm and guarantee eternal security. GOD knows our human nature and loves us anyway. HIS desire is to redeem us from eternal death which is the result of sin. Eternal life is the result of salvation through faith in JESUS. Faith in JESUS moves mountains. GOD calls every person to accept JESUS as his or her Savior. But each of us must accept that call. Have you, or will you?

Let’s read Genesis 12:4-6:

⁴ So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. ⁵ He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated, and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan, ⁶ Abram passed through the land to the site of Shechem, at the oak of Moreh. (At that time the Canaanites were in the land.) 

So, Abram responded to GOD’S call. Never say you are too old. Abram began his journey at 75 years old. Abram’s nephew, Lot, went with him.

Notice the spelling of both Sarai and Abram because later GOD will give both a new name.

When they came to the land of Canaan, ⁶ Abram passed through the land to the site of Shechem, at the oak of Moreh.

Abram arrived at the exact place GOD wanted him to be. Notice, it was a land occupied by the Canaanites.

Let’s read Genesis 12:7-8:

⁷ The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring^[c] I will give this land.” So, he built an altar there to the Lord who had appeared to him. ⁸ From there he moved on to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. He built an altar to the Lord there, and he called on the name of the Lord. 

Notice, when GOD called Abram, GOD spoke to him. Abram responded and when Abram arrived at the destination GOD desired for Abram to be, GOD appeared to Abram. As we journey with our LORD, as HIS Children, HE reveals more of Himself when we reach certain milestones.  

The LORD appeared to Abram and spoke to him. GOD made Abram a promise. Abram believed HIM and sealed that promise with a covenant. Abram built an altar to GOD to confirm the covenant.

GOD makes all the people of earth a promise through HIS only SON, JESUS. HE seals that promise with the indwelling Holy Spirit.

“He (Abram) built an altar there to the Lord who had appeared to him. Where was there? Abram passed through the land to the site of Shechem, at the oak of Moreh. What is significant about Shechem and the oak of Moreh?

It is the exact entry point to the Promised Land. WOW!!!

These are physical landmarks for the Israelites to enter the promised land, GOD promised. JESUS is the Spiritual door to Spiritual rebirth, through the forgiveness of all our sin and is the path to salvation through the miracle of Spiritual birth.

In Revelation 3:20:

²⁰ See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

JESUS is knocking on your heart’s door will you answer and let HIM in? The latch to the door of your heart is on the inside and can only be opened by you. Open your heart’s door now. Why, because HE loves you and gave HIS life just for you to have eternal life. Blessings!!!