The Bible doesn’t tell us everything Abraham was thinking that night. But surely there were what ifs.
What if I’m doing the wrong thing?
What if Ishmael gets lost?
What if I never see him again?
Ishmael was his son too. God’s promise had come through him first. And now God was saying: “Send him away.”
Genesis 21:11 says “The matter distressed Abraham greatly.” But Genesis 21:14 says “So Abraham rose early the next morning and sent her away.”
Distressed… and still obedient.
And then it got harder.
“Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and sacrifice him.” Genesis 22:2
Not “arrange a hit.”
Not “have someone else do it.”
“You. Take him to the mountain. As a sacrifice.”
His heart must’ve been tormented the whole night before.
But Genesis 22:3 says “Abraham rose early the next morning.”
It’s the same pattern all through Scripture:
Abraham → “Leave your country. I’ll show you where.”
No map. Just Go.
Even though it was scary.
Noah → “Build an ark. It’s never rained.”
No water. Just Build.
Even though people laughed.
Joshua → “March around Jericho 7 times and shout.”
No weapons. Just Walk.
Even though it looked foolish.
Cana → “Fill the water jugs. The wine ran out.”
No grapes. Just Fill.
Even though it didn’t make sense.
Blind man → “Put mud on your eyes.”
No medicine. Just Obey.
Even though it felt weird.
And then Jesus.
In Gethsemane.
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42
He was afraid. He was sweating blood.
But He still said “Not my will, but yours.”
See, faith was never the absence of fear.
Faith is obedience with a tormented heart.
FAITH → OBEDIENCE → MIRACLE
Sometimes the miracle is provision in the wilderness.
Sometimes the miracle is a ram in the thicket at the last second.
Sometimes the miracle is walls falling down.
Sometimes the miracle is wine at a wedding.
And sometimes the miracle is resurrection 3 days later.
God sees the distress in your heart.
He sees the what ifs at 2am.
He sees you shaking as you lay down the thing you love most.
And He still calls it faith.
Go from your land, your people, and your father’s house.”
No destination. No timeline. Just “Go.”
That had to be terrifying.
But notice — the promise came AFTER the leaving.
If you’re in a season where God is asking you to leave something,
to let go, to walk away with no answers…
He’s not being cruel. He’s being God.
The promise is waiting on the other side of your obedience.
Don’t wait for the fear to leave. Move with it.
#WhenIHaveFears #MustardSeedFaith
Ntonhle Dlamini 
Leave a comment