"At that time a severe famine struck the land of Canaan, forcing Abram to go down to Egypt, where he lived as a foreigner" (Gen 12:10).

The Fight for Survival

Migration is a natural phenomenon observed in different animals across the animal kingdom, from the tiniest insects to the gigantic blue whale. Every year, millions of animals set out on an epic journey.  Even humans migrate in search of better living conditions or opportunities. It is all part of the survival instinct that we were created with. 

Abraham is faced with two options when a terrible famine strikes shortly after he pitches his tent in Canaan: leave the region or suffer the consequences with his family and livestock. He chooses the former. Could this be his chance, and the ideal justification, to go back to Haran, a place that he is very familiar with?

What the enemy seeks

 is to get you off the path 

that you were called to and designed for.  

However, Abraham declines that option and chooses to move forward into Egypt, a foreign and perilous place. Evidently, Abraham was determined to fulfill his calling and purpose, regardless of the challenges.

The test

God's guidance and promise to you will be put to the test. This testing of your faith could present itself as a great opportunity, a relationship, an unfortunate situation, a health challenge, a delay, a personal or family crisis, an unfair policy, or a natural disaster, among other things.

How you respond to your test will depend on your conviction and your values. When faced with challenges, it can be more convenient to give up, abandon, or retreat to well-known territory while comforting ourselves by saying, "God understands." But does He?  What the enemy seeks is to get you off the path that you were called to and designed for.  And He accomplishes this by getting your attention to shift from the Lord, His instruction, and His promise to the unfavorable circumstances. Rather than seeing your challenges as a testing of your faith, you begin to view them as intolerable disappointments and harmful (James 1:2–4).

Finishing is Key 

While starting the journey is certainly a cause for celebration, it is important to remember that the ones who persevere and plough through to the very end are the ones who will be rewarded, not those who put their hands to the plough. It is these who persevere through the tests and see results. They are the ones who keep growing gracefully, experience transformation, and ultimately receive the crown of life.

Are you moving forward with your initial conviction?  Or have you become offended and  disillusioned and are returning to familiar territory?

Prayer:  Abba Father, I receive grace to stay on the course that you have mapped out for me, in Jesus name.