Journey to Easter – 40-Day Creative Lent Devotional – Day 22: Steps of Faith and Obedience

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faith of abraham

 

Day 22: Steps of Faith and Obedience

Opening Prayer

opening prayer

Lord God, we come before You as people of faith who desire to grow in obedience to Your ways. Thank You for the gift of faith that You have planted in our hearts through the work of Your Spirit. Faith is a precious gift, but one that needs to be nurtured through steps of obedience.

Help us to recognize where our actions do not align with what we claim to believe. Search our hearts and minds and reveal any areas of half-hearted faith or disobedience. We long to know You more fully through lives fully surrendered to Your will.

Fill us afresh with trusting faith today. May Your Word empower us to take the next steps You call us to. Give us spiritual eyes to see the obedient path ahead and strength to walk in it. You alone are worthy of our complete allegiance, so we yield ourselves to You without reserve.

We ask that You would use this time to cultivate faith that bears fruit through obedience. May Your name be magnified as we seek to honor You in all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture Reading and Reflection

obedience of abraham

Hebrews 11:8 KJV

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Reflection:

In the fourth chapter of Romans, we delve into the faith journey of our forefather Abraham. One crucial realization is that faith is not a static state; it’s not merely sitting in church and declaring, ‘I’ve got it.’ Instead, faith is a continuous walk, where each step follows the other. Abraham, revered as the father of faith, exemplifies this truth—if we choose to walk in the same steps of faith.

Abraham’s faith was a progression. If we trace his journey from Genesis chapter 12 to Genesis chapter 22, we witness the gradual development of his faith in God. In chapter 12, God called Abram to leave his country, his people, and his father’s household, promising to make him into a great nation and bless him. Abram obeyed without hesitation, leaving everything behind and journeying to the land of Canaan. His faith was evident in his obedience to God’s call.

Fast forward to chapter 22, where Abraham faced the ultimate test. God commanded him to take his beloved son, Isaac, to the land of Moriah and offer him as a burnt offering. This was unthinkable—a heart-wrenching request. Yet, Abraham did not hesitate. Early the next morning, he set out with Isaac, trusting God’s goodness even in the face of unimaginable pain. As they climbed the mountain, Isaac asked about the sacrificial lamb, and Abraham replied that God would provide. At the last moment, God intervened, providing a ram as a substitute.

Abraham’s unwavering faith and obedience demonstrated his trust in God’s promises. His faith matured because, whenever God said, ‘Step,’ Abraham stepped. Every challenge God presented, he accepted, and thus his faith grew. The Epistle of James emphasizes that faith matures through action. While faith is indeed a gift, it blossoms when we obediently follow God’s lead. However, Abraham, like all of us, was human and made mistakes. God had promised him a child, but the fulfillment was delayed. Sarah, desperate for a child, suggested they take matters into their own hands. Abraham followed Sarah’s advice and had a son, Ishmael, through her maid, Hagar. Later, Sarah bore Isaac—the child God had intended all along. Ironically, Ishmael’s descendants now stand as a barrier to Isaac’s promised inheritance. As we can see, when we take matters into our own hands, it often leads to disastrous outcomes when dealing with God. True faith is not a static concept; it thrives when we actively walk in obedience. Like Abraham, who stepped out in faith each time God directed him, our faith grows as we follow God’s lead. It’s not about merely possessing faith but about living it out—one step at a time. When we choose to obey, even when it’s challenging, our faith deepens and becomes mature.

Hymn:

Living by Faith

1 I care not today what the morrow may bring, If shadow or sunshine or rain, The Lord I know ruleth o’er everything, And all of my worries are vain.

Refrain: Living by faith in Jesus above, Trusting, confiding in His great love; From all harm safe in His sheltering arm, I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.

2 Though tempests may blow and the storm clouds arise, Obscuring the brightness of life, I’m never alarmed at the overcast skies— The Master looks on at the strife. [Refrain]

3 I know that He safely will carry me through, No matter what evils betide; Why should I then care though the tempest may blow, If Jesus walks close to my side. [Refrain]

4 Our Lord will return for His loved ones some day, Our troubles will then all be o’er; The Master so gently will lead us away, Beyond that blest heavenly shore. [Refrain]

Lyrics: James Wells (1918); Author (st. 4): R. E. Winsett (1918), Music: J. L. Heath

Creative Activities: 1. Scripture Writing

scripture writing   Write out Hebrews 11:8 in your best handwriting on the Scripture writing page which you can download below. Please download the Scripture Writing Page below. It is for personal and educational use (school, homeschooling) as well as for use at church and in ministry only. Commercial use not allowed.

Download Scripture Writing Page

scripture writing printable day 22DOWNLOAD NOW

Creative Activities: 2. Bible Journaling

bible journaling

Journaling as you reflect can help internalize the lessons learned. Consider the following prompts as you interact with Scripture:
  • Circle or highlight verses that stand out about Abraham’s obedience and faith. Write notes on how each step progressed his trust in God.
  • Underline where Abraham lacked faith. Reflect on the consequences and how God continued strengthening him despite mistakes.
  • Draw images that come to mind from the passages, such as Abraham on the journey or sacrificing Isaac. Pictures can aid meditation.
  • Make a timeline tracing the growth of Abraham’s faith through the stages of his obedience documented in Genesis 12-22.
  • Write a prayer to God about areas in your life where you long for increasing faith and obedient trust, however gradual the steps may seem.
  • Maintain a list of action steps you feel God leading you to take in order to deepen your own faith. Commit to walking in them one at a time.
Creative Bible study helps internalize spiritual lessons. Take time now to thoughtfully engage with Scripture, reflecting on how God matures faith both through our obedience to Him and the refining process of failure.

Creative Activities: 3. Doodling

doodling

  As you think about Abraham’s faith journey, take out pen and paper for some relaxed doodling. There’s no need for planning – just see where your hand takes you. You may start with basic shapes, like circles for God’s promises. Draw winding lines that could be roads Abraham traveled. Sketch objects from the story, such as tents or sheep. Don’t worry about the mess. Exploration means freedom to scribble without rules. When symbols stand out, trace over them lightly with different colors. Perhaps faces like Abraham or Isaac will emerge. Scenes may unfold showing key Bible moments. Pay attention to any repeated motifs – these could highlight important themes. Leave space between doodles for new ideas to bubble up. Vary between structure and abstract marks to mirror the balance of faith. Let your doodles develop freely as you meditate and pray. New insights may surface that words alone could not convey. And remember, there’s no wrong way to simply doodle! Relax and see where this creative response leads as you reflect on Abraham’s example of faithful obedience. Something new might spring forth. May your doodles serve to further strengthen your relationship with the Spirit who indwells, directing your steps moment by moment. Please download the Doodle Printable below. It is for personal and educational use (school, homeschooling) as well as for use at church and in ministry only. Commercial use not allowed.

Download Doodle Printable

doodle pages day 22DOWNLOAD NOW

Creative Activities: 4. Journaling

journaling

 

Reflect and Journal:

  • As you reflect on Abraham’s example of growing in faith through obedience, what is one area where God may be calling you to take a next step of trusting Him more fully?
Please download the Journal Printable below. It is for personal and educational use (school, homeschooling) as well as for use at church and in ministry only. Commercial use not allowed.

Download Journal Printable

journal printable day 22DOWNLOAD NOW

Applying and Taking Action

applying and taking action

  The lessons we learn from Abraham’s example of growing faith through obedience won’t benefit us unless we apply them to our own lives. Spend time praying and asking God to reveal one small way you can step out in obedience, even if it seems inconsequential. His promptings are tailored uniquely for your spiritual journey. Once you sense God’s leading, discuss it with a trusted friend for wise counsel and accountability. Choosing a concrete action step makes obedience tangible. It could be reading your Bible more regularly, volunteering where God leads you, or working on an area of forgiveness. Set a clear and achievable goal to accomplish it over the next week or two. Marking your progress, through journaling or checking in with a friend, will help you persevere when faced with natural doubts or challenges along the way. Just as each act of obedience strengthened Abraham’s faith cumulatively, so taking incremental steps in reliance on God’s strength rather than your own will increase your trust over time. Remember that growing faith allows room for imperfection – God uses all things for good. The key is your willingness to act on the light you have, cooperating fully with Him one step at a time. May your obedient actions done in dependence on Christ glorify Him and nourish seeds of faith that will bear fruit for years to come.

Closing Prayer

closing prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Abraham and how his faith grew steadily through his acts of obedience to You, step by step. You are faithful to complete the good work You began in him, and in each one of us.

Through studying Your Word and reflecting on Abraham’s journey, stir within us a hunger to know You more deeply and follow wherever You lead. Reveal to us through Your Spirit the next small step of faith You desire from us today, and grant us courage to take it in reliance on Your strength.

Use each faithful response, however imperfect, to grow faith that will withstand any storm. As You sustained Abraham through seasons of waiting and mistakes, sustain us to persevere in growing closer to You.

May our lives honor You through gradual works of love and obedience towards You. Draw our hearts daily nearer to Your heart by Your Spirit’s power. We ask in the mighty name of Jesus, our faithful example who walked step-by-step the ultimate obedience even unto death. Amen.

 

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