Stepping out into the world is a bad idea – unless you are stepping out on the firm foundation of faith.
Father Abraham was called by God to step out of his comfortable nest. Hebrews 11:8 (ESV) — 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. From this we can observe that when he stepped out in faith, he proved to be adaptable, friendly, and diplomatic. As a result, he was able to walk in peace and quiet contentment.
But at times Abram chose instead to step out in fear. Because he lacked faith in God’s provision he went to Egypt. Then, because he was afraid, he would be killed because his wife was beautiful, he asked her to say she was his sister (Genesis 12:10-20). Abraham repeated this behavior in Genesis 20:1–18. His reason this time was “Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’” (Gen.20:11 ESV). Here we can learn that is we step out in fear we become uninvolved, reluctant, and we make bad decisions. During this time Abraham stopped seeing value in himself and became self-righteous.
The lesson Abraham had to learn was that it was easier to dominate “his universe” and harder to dominate his “internal fear” that opposed his faith.
To the Graduates amongst us I offer the words of God Himself when His servant Joshua had to step out in faith.
Joshua 1:1–9 (ESV) — 1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
