A Radical Yes

Date: Friday, January 9, 2026

As we transition into the second movement of Genesis, you might want to watch this short video overview of Genesis (Part 2) from the Bible Project, providing a continuing overview of the "grand narrative" of Scripture and where we're going next.

God speaks in Genesis 12 and tells Abram to leave everything. Not just a weekend trip, but a total relocation of his soul, his safety, and his heritage. This isn’t some polite suggestion; it’s a seemingly unreasonable command, and a test of faith. Abram is called to walk into the unknown based on a promise he can’t see and a destination he doesn’t know. That’s the kind of faith that makes people think you’ve lost your mind. It’s raw, it’s risky, and it’s the foundation of the entire biblical story. It’s the leave everything moment that echoes later when Jesus tells fishermen to drop their nets and follow Him. Abram’s journey isn’t just about geography; it’s about the internal migration from self-reliance to God-reliance.

Psalm 9 grounds this terrifying journey in the character of God. The Psalmist describes God as a refuge for the oppressed and a stronghold in times of trouble. When Abram stepped out, he wasn’t stepping into a vacuum; he was stepping into the justice and sovereignty of a God who remembers those who seek Him. You can’t claim to follow a God who moves if you refuse to get off your couch. Put another way using a classic pastoral illustration: God can’t steer a parked car.

Following Jesus means getting comfortable being uncomfortable. It means trusting that God’s justice will prevail even when the road ahead looks like a dead end or a desert. We are called to be a blessing to the nations, and you can’t bless the world if you’re too afraid to leave your own zip code. Faith is a verb, and it usually starts with “Go.”

Devotional Prompts:

What is the Haran you are lingering in because it’s safer than the Canaan God is calling you toward?
How does the promise of God’s justice in Psalm 9 give you the courage to take a risk to step out?
Abram was blessed to be a blessing; how are you using your inherited blessings to impact others?
What is the hardest thing for you to leave behind in order to follow God’s lead?

Prayer: Holy Spirit, give us the guts to leave our comfort zones when You call. Help us to trust Your voice more than our fears, knowing that You are our refuge and our strength. Let our lives be a “Yes” to Your wild invitations, wherever they may lead. Amen.