Stepping into the Unknown: Trusting God One Step at a Time - Hebrews 11:8
Hebrews 11:8 (NLT) – “It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.”
Introduction:
Today we are going to explore a profound truth: If God showed us the entire journey, we would likely never take the first step. Life is full of uncertainty, and God often calls us to move forward into the unknown. He doesn’t always give us the full picture, but He calls us to trust Him, step by step, moment by moment.
The Bible is full of stories where God leads His people without giving them the full roadmap. Our central text today is Hebrews 11:8, which speaks of Abraham’s journey of faith. Abraham stepped out in obedience, not knowing where he was going. In the same way, we are often called to trust God with our future, even when we cannot see the outcome.
Let’s dive into this topic of trust, obedience, and walking in faith. We’ll explore what it means to take that first step, even when the whole journey is hidden from us. Let’s journey together through the Word of God and see how He calls us to trust Him, not with partial faith but with our whole lives.
1. God’s Call Requires Obedience Without Full Understanding
Let’s start with Hebrews 11:8 (NLT), “It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.” Abraham was called to leave everything familiar—his home, his family, his comfort zone. He wasn’t given all the details, yet he obeyed.
The Greek word for “faith” in this verse is p?st?? (pistis), which conveys trust and reliance. Abraham’s journey was an act of trust, not in his own understanding but in God’s promise. If God had shown Abraham every challenge he would face, perhaps he would have hesitated. But God only gave Abraham the next step, and Abraham took it.
This same principle applies to us. God may not show us the entire journey because it would overwhelm us. Instead, He calls us to trust Him step by step. Our obedience must be rooted in faith, not in the certainty of the path but in the certainty of the One who calls us.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” The Hebrew word for “trust” is ?????? (batach), which means to place confidence in, to rely upon. This means we are called to lean not on our own understanding but to place our full confidence in God.
When God calls us to something new, we don’t need to have all the answers. All we need is the courage to take the next step in obedience. Whether it’s a career change, a move to a new place, or even a difficult conversation, trust that God sees the full picture and will guide you.
As Charles Stanley once said, “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.” Obedience is our responsibility; the outcome is His.
2. God’s Direction Often Comes Step by Step
Abraham’s story shows us that God often leads us one step at a time. Genesis 12:1 (NLT) records God’s call to Abraham: “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.’” Notice the vagueness here. God doesn’t tell Abraham the final destination—He just says, “Go.”
The Hebrew word for “go” is ???? (lek), which is a command, not a suggestion. God calls Abraham to action without giving him the luxury of knowing the full plan. Often, God leads us in the same way. He gives us just enough light for the next step, and as we step out in faith, He illuminates the path further.
This incremental revelation teaches us dependence on God. If we had the entire map laid out before us, we would rely on the map instead of God. But when we walk step by step, we are forced to trust Him for every move.
Psalm 119:105 (NLT) says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” The imagery here is not of a floodlight illuminating the entire road, but a small lamp, lighting just enough for the next step. We need to keep coming back to the Word of God for guidance, day by day.
In your own life, don’t wait until you have all the answers before stepping out in faith. Take the first step that God is asking of you, and trust that He will guide you in the steps to come. Whether it’s starting a new ministry, making a difficult decision, or even forgiving someone, trust that God will provide direction as you move forward.
Rick Warren reminds us, “Faith means moving forward, even when you don’t have all the answers.”
3. Faith is Strengthened Through Uncertainty
Sometimes God doesn’t show us the whole journey because the process itself is meant to grow our faith. Romans 4:20-21 (NLT) says of Abraham, “Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.”
Abraham’s faith was not perfect, but it grew through the challenges he faced. When we walk through uncertainty, we learn to trust God more deeply. The waiting, the unknown, and the challenges are opportunities for our faith to be refined and strengthened.
The Greek word for "waver" in this verse is d?a????? (diakrino), which means to hesitate or doubt. Abraham didn’t allow doubt to control him, even when the path wasn’t clear. His faith wasn’t in the circumstances but in God’s ability to keep His promise.
James 1:2-4 (NLT) says, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” Trials and uncertainties in the journey are not obstacles to faith but tools that strengthen it.
If you are in a season of uncertainty, don’t see it as a setback. See it as an opportunity to grow in faith. God is using the waiting and the challenges to deepen your trust in Him. Like Abraham, trust that God will fulfil His promises, even if the path is unclear.
Francis Chan once said, “God doesn’t call us to be comfortable; He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn’t come through.”
4. God Prepares Us for Each Step Along the Way
God’s purpose is not just in the destination but in the journey itself. He uses every step to prepare us for the next. We see this clearly in the life of Joseph. Genesis 50:20 (NLT) records Joseph’s words to his brothers: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”
Joseph’s journey was filled with betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment, yet each step prepared him for the role God had for him. If Joseph had known the full extent of the trials he would face, would he have been willing to take the first step? Probably not. But through each difficulty, God was preparing Joseph for greater things.
Romans 8:28 (NLT) reminds us, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Even when we don’t see it, God is weaving together every step, every trial, for our good and His glory.
Don’t despise the process. God is using each moment—both the highs and the lows—to prepare you for His greater purpose. Trust that nothing is wasted in God’s economy. He is working all things together for your good, even when you don’t understand the full picture.
Pastor Tony Evans says, “Sometimes God lets you hit rock bottom so that you will discover He is the Rock at the bottom.”
5. The First Step Requires Faith
Finally, let’s talk about the importance of that first step. Often, the hardest part of following God’s call is simply starting. We see this in the story of Peter walking on water. Matthew 14:29 (NLT) says, “‘Yes, come,’ Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.” Peter took that first step out of the boat, but it required incredible faith.
The Greek word for “come” here is ????µa? (erchomai), a command to move forward. Jesus didn’t give Peter a long explanation; He just called him to come. And Peter obeyed. Though he later doubted, the miracle began the moment he took that first step out of the boat.
Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) says, “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” Faith is essential to stepping out into the unknown.
What is the first step that God is calling you to take? It might be scary, but remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Trust that God is with you and take that step in faith.
John Ortberg famously said, “If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat.”
Conclusion and Call to Action
God is calling each of us to take steps of faith. He may not show you the entire journey, but He is asking you to trust Him with the next step. Like Abraham, Peter, and Joseph, we are called to walk in faith, trusting that God will guide us each step of the way.
What is God calling you to do today? Perhaps it’s a new ministry, a difficult conversation, or simply trusting Him with your future. Whatever it is, take that first step.
Invitation to Faith in Jesus
If you’ve never taken the first step of trusting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, today is the day. He has a plan for your life, and He is inviting you to step into a relationship with Him. If you’re ready to make that decision, pray this prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I trust You with my life. I believe You died for my sins and rose again. I want to follow You, step by step, wherever You lead. Be my Lord and Saviour. Amen.”
