Abraham is known as the father of faith, and is considered a friend of God simply because He believed in the Lord who called him out of the land where he was (Genesis 15:6). Want to have the faith that Abraham had? Here are some things that we can learn from Abraham's response to the call of the Lord.
1) Our call leads to a meaningful relationship with God
While some might think that Abraham was some super-spiritual "close to the Lord" kind of man, the Bible describes the opposite: he did not know God before he was called because he belonged to a pagan household.
Terah, Abraham's father, lived away from the promised land (which was promised to Abraham of course) and worshipped other gods (see Joshua 24:2). The real God, the God of all creation, had to call Abraham out from his family, country and people so that he could know Him, the real God amongst all the false gods that Terah worshipped.
Unlike most Christian ministers who sensed their calling when their relationship with God deepened, Abraham's call signaled the beginning of the intimate relationship they were going to have. Some might think that a "calling" means being one who holds an office or some leadership, but in Abraham's case, the call was first for him to simply follow God in trust and have a relationship with Him.
2) When God calls, simply believe.
Many Christians nowadays keep asking God for a confirmation if they are called. Abraham, however, simply answered God's call without as much as a second opinion from others.
"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going" (Hebrews 11:8).
Like Jesus' disciples who quickly left their nets, boats, and jobs to follow Him, Abraham (then called Abram) simply believed what God said. That's what we call faith.
3) God can call you even in old age.
Seniors rest when they reach retirement age. Abraham didn't – apparently because God called him at the ripe old age of 75, signifying that God's call isn't only for the young, but also for fathers and mothers, as well as grandfathers and grandmothers.
God's purposes transcend time and age. Being the Alpha and Omega, the One who declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10), God is able to call you at any age, in any place, for His very purposes. You may feel past your best, whether that's physically or spiritually, but please know that it is never too late for you to step out into your calling and be used wonderfully by God.
