Trust Him with Your Whole Heart and Never Be Disqualified
Experiencing situations where trust and faith in God were the only compass was not unusual—especially for many individuals we read about in the Bible. Often, God gave direction for the first step, while the next steps remained unseen. In some instances, even the outcome wasn't manifested until after that initial act of obedience.
Many simply did the best they could, making thoughtful decisions based on the limited understanding they had. Yet, because their hearts were committed to trusting and believing God—choosing to walk by faith—He remained faithful to guide them through the journey from point A to point B. Even when they veered slightly off course, their sincere desire to follow Him allowed God to work through their efforts, using missteps as part of the process rather than a disqualification.
Abraham is a good example of not being disqualified in spite of steps or decisions he took while earnestly trying to follow God’s instructions.
In Genesis chapter 12 Abrahams journey begins with God telling him to Go into a country with his people to a land that He will show him and that he would make Abraham a great nation and bless him.
During Abraham’s journey of obedience to the Lord, he faced situations that tested both his faith and discernment. Because his wife Sarah was considered a beautiful woman—and it was common for rulers to desire the most beautiful women for themselves, whether as wives or concubines—Abraham, out of fear for his life, told the leaders in two different regions that Sarah was his sister rather than his wife.
As a result of Abraham’s decision to misrepresent Sarah as his sister, both rulers who encountered them were deeply troubled upon discovering the truth—that she was, in fact, his wife. Thankfully, neither of them had touched her, and they were relieved that they hadn’t, recognizing the seriousness of offending the God of Abraham. Out of reverence and fear of divine consequences, they not only returned Sarah to Abraham but also sent them away with great generosity—blessing them with treasures, gifts, and provisions.
In addition to everything else, even though God had clearly promised Abraham that he would have a son through his wife Sarah, Abraham—at Sarah’s urging—acted prematurely and had a child with her handmaid, Hagar. Yet despite this detour, God remained faithful to His word. In due time, Sarah did conceive, and the promise was fulfilled just as God had declared.
It is important to note that along Abraham’s journey he acknowledged God by making several stops along the way building an alter to worship the Lord.
Suggested corresponding scriptures that pertain to Abraham's life during his journey as well as ours:
Isaiah 45:2 ‘I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron.
Proverbs 3:5 -6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.
Lamentations 3:22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end.
James 2:13 Mercy triumphs over judgement.
If you ever find yourself in a situation similar to Abraham’s—facing uncertainty or the consequences of a difficult decision—Philippians 4 offers powerful encouragement. It’s often seen as a stress reliever, a source of freedom, and a burden-lifting passage. The key it gives us is this: in order to experience peace and true joy, we must first release our worries to God. Only then can we fully rejoice in Him.
Philippians 4: 4- 7 says Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Lessons for us:
Don’t count yourself out because you can’t seem to see a clear path to your victory.
Don’t be afraid to step out in faith.
Don’t beat yourself up for a wrong turn or incorrect action.
Trust God in the process.
Do your best and acknowledge God daily in the process and each milestone.
Rejoice and let go.