A good example of someone who took great risks was Abraham (originally known as Abram). Though the risks that Abraham took were huge, they were measured and balanced because he knew the character of God. He trusted God.
Read Genesis 12:1-5
- How do you think Abraham felt when God asked him to leave his country?
- Is there a greater risk than leaving your home and family, where you feel safe and secure, for the unknown?
- What can we learn from Abraham’s attitude in agreeing to leave for the unknown?
Later on, Abraham is presented with a situation in which, this time, he has to risk the life of his own son Isaac, even though he was the son who had been promised by God (Genesis 18:10).
Read Genesis 22:1-18
When Abraham obeyed God’s voice and went up the mountain to offer his son as a sacrifice, he demonstrated his faith in God.
- Why would sacrificing Isaac seem the wrong thing to do?
- How did Abraham show his faith?
Consider Hebrews 11:8-12
- Why did Abraham think this way?
Taking measured and balanced risks is proof of our faith in God. Are we prepared to take risks for God when he asks us to?
What risk is God asking us to take now, so that his name may be glorified and his Kingdom might be extended?
Abraham’s faith, which led him to agree to take big risks for God, earned him the name ’friend of God’. Therefore, let us not fear taking risks when God asks us to. We do not need to fear if the risks that we take are based on our faith in the God who can do all things.
Joanna Ilboudo is the Executive Director of ACTS in Burkina Faso.
