Earlier I shared we serve a God that gives pop tests. We don’t know the when, where, or how a test will be given, but the good news is he allows open book tests.

Today we are going to look to Abram to show us the first trial.

The first test we can be faced with is the test of MAJOR CHANGE. (Or what I like to call the “Where Lord?” question)

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, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. (Gen 12:1-4)

Abram was a wealthy man who owned large amount of land, animals and money, but he realized that everything he had or owned belonged to God. God came to Abram and told him to pack things up, he was moving. Now realize Abram was already 75 years of age, enjoying his retirement. He had worked hard the years before now it is time to relax.

But God said pack up!

In my study bible it says: God’s invitation to Abram challenges him to abandon the normal sources of personal identity and security: his family and country. To obey, Abram must trust God implicitly; all human support is largely removed. The promised outcomes are conditional on Abram’s obedience.

“By faith Abraham when called to go…obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Heb 11:8)

I don’t know about you, but I would not only want to know where I was going, I would want to know who was going to pack the boxes, what clothes I should take, and could I please have a map…..then I will let you know what I decide Lord.

If God wanted to make a major change in my life I would like to know why.

Sounds bad when I put it like that, huh?

But if I dared to guess, that is how most of us react when God says move…the first thing out of our mouth is “Ok how, why, and what is the benefit?”

As a Christian we need to follow God not knowing where he is going to take us.

Faith says I can not explain God’s reasoning but I know God is in it.

I am not saying as Christians we have blind faith, we need to know what we believe and why we believe it.  But after that we have full faith in God and what he does, so when he says move….we MOVE.

Powerful huh? I am guilty of insisting of knowing the when, where, why, what. Praise God he is so patient towards me.

The first test of God developing our faith and perseverance is through the trial of a MAJOR CHANGE. What is your major change lately?  Maybe with a financial situation, job loss, etc.. there seems to be many of us going through the trial of major change.  Major change does not always mean a physical move, but sometimes a spiritual move.

If God is in it, we need to be ready to say “here I am, I will go.” It is up to God to reveal the rest in his own timing.

To prepare yourself for this test, you need to be in God’s word, be able to hear his voice, and move when he says move and leave the details up to God.

Come back to find our the second test that the Lord can use to develop us and equip us.