Win or Lose


Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him (Genesis 12:1–4, esv).

Here’s a straightforward equation for you: When I live by faith, I win; when I live by sight, I lose.

“I win,” means I have victory over the trials in my life. I remain strong and true to God. It means I am conquering temptation and living without compromise. It means not always needing to see the next step before I trust God’s Word and follow Him.

Abraham spent his whole life living out this truth. It all started in a land far, far away from Israel. God drew this major plan for him and essentially said, “I’m starting a new nation, and you’re the man to lead it. Get up and move away so you don’t get tangled up with all these sinful people.”

So Abraham had a choice. He could’ve doubted God and made up some good excuses for not moving. They would have sounded a lot like excuses we give for not believing God. “Maybe I didn’t really hear God right. Maybe I had too much pizza. Maybe it wasn’t really God talking to me.” His reasons could have sounded rational and respectable. “This isn’t prudent. After all, I can’t see what’s ahead for me in Israel. Too risky! Bad stewardship!”

Abraham could have adapted the Word of God to make it more convenient. He could have said, “I know God wants to bless me, so I’ll just pray, ‘Bless me here, God. I’ll live for you here among this pagan people.’”

Abraham could have delayed his faith. He could have said, “It’s not a good time for me to move right now. I’ll definitely move later, God, as soon as I see how Your plan plays out.”

But Abraham didn’t do any of these. If he had, he would have lost out on the most incredible plan of the ages that God had designed just for him. Abraham chose instead to live by faith—and he won! Genesis 12:4 says “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him.” That’s faith.

Are the choices you’re making right now characterized by faith? Are there any excuses creeping into your plans? When you live by faith, you win; when you live by sight, you lose. Every time.

Journal

  • Am I living by faith or sight today?
  • Where do I doubt, adapt, or delay acting on God’s Word?

Pray
Lord, I confess that it’s so natural for me to rely on what I see rather than what You tell me in Your Word. Increase my faith to believe what You say. Increase my courage to obey You without delay. Help me to follow Abraham’s example of living by faith and seeing life through spiritual eyes. Thank You that following You is the path to abundant life. I trust You, Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.