Knowing God’s call and obeying God’s call are two different matters. We may know the call of God through God’s Word, but we may not obey Him because of the uncertainties and difficulties we know we will face as a result of obeying God’s call. Hence, we listen and obey our self-desire and we follow the call of the world instead. As children of God, we must obey God’s call despite the many difficulties that may result. We must put our faith in God and make decisions that are well-pleasing and honouring to God. Abram is an example of such a person who obeyed God’s call.

In Genesis 12:1, God reminded Abram of His first calling made to him before he and his family came to Haran. God never forgets His calling and promises to His children. God called Abram to depart from his country (Ur of the Chaldees), his kindred and his father’s house. This was a difficult choice which Abram had to make. Obeying God’s call would mean leaving his security, loved ones and comfort. As Christians, we must be prepared to make such difficult choices. We must have faith in God and trust Him to lead and guide us as we obey Him.

In Genesis 12:2, God promised that He would bless Abram if he were to obey His call. God will make Abram “a great nation” and will bless him with a son despite his old age. God will also make his name great. Abram will be remembered as the father of faith (Heb 11:8-10) even till today for his obedience to God’s call.

By faith, Abram obeyed God’s calling (Gen 12:5-6). He took the step of faith and left Haran at the age of seventy-five to go to the land of Canaan which the Lord had called him to go. The land of Canaan was occupied by the Canaanites when Abram arrived. However, God had promised that He would give this land to Abram’s seed (Gen 12:7). Abram built an altar and continued journeying through Canaan without possessing it so that he and the people that followed him will not be influenced by the Canaanites’ ungodly and adulterous living. Abram followed God’s leading each day in the land of Canaan and never doubted God.

Like Abram, we too must obey and submit to God’s calling for us. We must not pick and choose what we want and follow after our desires. We must have faith in God and trust Him to lead and guide us each step of the way as we obey His call. God’s call may inconvenience our lives but we must do it for His sake. God will honour those who honour Him. Hence, we must step out by faith, knowing that He is the God who loves us and whose will is for us to obey His call and be a holy testimony and witness for Him here in this world. May God help us.