Trusting God to Fulfil His Promises: Lessons from Abram and Sarai's Journey in Genesis 12
You might think that the promise to restore your marriage appears unlikely, considering the current situation. Perhaps your spouse is seeking a divorce or is involved with someone else. They might even have children with another person or be living recklessly. This story from Genesis chapter 12 teaches us to trust in the Lord, as He will intervene and support us when He has made a promise to us.
Abram, later renamed Abraham, was called by the Lord God to leave his father’s house and his country to go to a land that God would show him.
“And the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee.” Genesis 12:1 KJV
God had not revealed the full plan to Abram all at once, but was revealing it one step at a time.“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.” 1 Corinthians 13:9 KJV
God promised Abram that He would make him into a great nation, bless him, and make his name great. This was a covenant that God made with Abram.
“And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2 KJV. If God has given you a promise, once you accept the promise, you enter into a covenant with the Lord God.
Abram accepted the call of God and trusted in His promise. Keep in mind that Abram did not know exactly where he was going because God only said, “unto a land that I will show you.” Abram made the first move by departing in obedience, and God continued to lead him.
When Abram arrived at a certain place, God spoke to him again.
“And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.” Genesis 12:7 KJV
You build an altar to the Lord by maintaining a loving relationship with Him through prayer, fasting, obedience to his word, and praise.
Due to a famine, Abram went to Egypt, fearing the Egyptians might kill him because of his wife Sarai's beauty. “Therefore, it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.” Genesis 12:12 KJV
Abram’s fear took over when he told Sarai to say that she was his sister. “Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.” Genesis 12:13 KJV
Abram's vision came true when the Egyptians took Sarai into Pharaoh's house. To protect His promise to Abram, God intervened by sending plagues upon Pharaoh's household, prompting the release of Sarai back to Abram.
“And the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.” Genesis 12:17 KJV
The lessons we can learn from this story are to trust God even when His promises seem unclear. Just as God did not fully reveal the land to Abram, there are times when God may give us a promise without showing every detail. This causes us to depend on Him daily for direction.“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
If God revealed every detail from the beginning, there would be no need for faith, trust, or hope. Walking with God in uncertainty builds strong faith and teaches us dependence on Him.“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 KJV
God will also remain with us throughout the process of fulfilling His promise, just as He was with Abram. He will fight for His promises and protect what He has spoken, just as He dealt with the Egyptians.“The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:14 KJV
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