Stepping Into The Unknown: Trusting God One Step At A Time - Hebrews 11:8 Series

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.