Series: Simply Complex
Message: Complex Faith
Preacher: Japhet De Oliveira
Daily Walk: Japhet De Oliveira

Refresh: Open with prayer. Ask God for the understanding through the Holy Spirit.

Read: Genesis 13–15 (ESV). As you read the ESV, note 1–3 insights or questions.

Reflect: If we continue with the metaphor from yesterday (Duplo vs Technic), it is important to note that understanding and embracing Duplo is essential to understanding Technic. Working with Duplo helps you gain the skills you’ll need to do more complex tasks. Similarly, the more you read the Bible—even at a very simple level—the more you discover God. This enables you to develop more complex understandings of His word.

I was visiting with a young gentlemen not too long ago. He is incredibly bright, articulate, and gifted in his vocational field. Now passing the first decade of his career, he has begun to reflect on his walk with God. He had been raised as a believer, but for several reasons—some quite tragic community realities—he had given up on his local Church and, in turn, on his discipleship. His current conclusions about God are not as mature as the rest of his life. While he contributes a wealth of knowledge and experience to other areas and is doing remarkable work to make the world a better place, his faith is stuck back in his tween years. 

When reading the Bible and passages like these chapters that describe Abram and Lot dividing the land, it is important to understand that their faith was complex. It was constantly growing. The Bible is no ordinary ancient history book, only recounting stories of victory. It tells us everything. Abram believed God. He wanted to fulfill the promise from Genesis 1 and Genesis 12, to fill the earth and to be a blessing to others. Since his wife could not have children, he was willing to give her up in a heart beat. However, he does have Lot—his nephew, the only blood relative he has left—and he will provide the best of the land to him. When Lot was in trouble, Abram risked everything to rescue him. Only in Genesis 15:4 do we get see where God had to spell it out to Abram—“No it is not Lot. Your heir actually will be a son that comes from you!”

Complex faith takes time to develop. It is a beautiful tapestry of life that has been woven with God and it is strong. When we are willing to have God be part of our choices we have to admit that at times that our choices might be wrong. Actually, who are we kidding? Our choices are often wrong. Yet God has never left us. Over time, we can grow into natural state of being in which our will aligns with God’s will and covenants can be made like the one in Genesis 15. Just in case you think that I am suggesting we should start cutting animals in half, remember that God has always worked within culture so that the people He is working with will understand Him. Don’t forget God’s graciousness in meeting us where we are at always. 

Recalibrate: ​​​How have you seen your own faith become more complex over time?

Respond: Pray for God to remind you of how He has worked in your life in the past.

Research: What were the typical consequences for breaking a covenant in Abram’s day?