========================================================================
  BY FAITH ABRAHAM OBEYED
  by Charles E. Cowman
========================================================================

Summary: The sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's
guidance and provision, even when we don't know what the future holds.

Topics: "Faith And Obedience", "Trusting God"
Scripture References: Psalm 23:4, Psalm 32:8, Proverbs 3:5, Isaiah 55:8, Hebrews 11:8

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Charles E. Cowman preaches on the powerful faith of Abraham, who
obediently followed God's call without knowing the destination, trusting
in the Promiser more than the promises. He emphasizes the importance of
contentment in following God's will, even when the path is unknown, and
the willingness to leave everything behind to follow Christ with
unwavering confidence. Cowman highlights the unexpected nature of God's
guidance, urging believers to trust in God's wisdom and fear nothing in
His presence.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he
should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed" (Heb. 11:8).

Whither he went, he knew not; it was enough for him to know that he went
with God. He leant not so much upon the promises as upon the Promiser.
He looked not on the difficulties of his lot, but on the King, eternal,
immortal, invisible, the only wise God, who had deigned to appoint his
course, and would certainly vindicate Himself. O glorious faith! This is
thy work, these are thy possibilities; contentment to sail with sealed
orders, because of unwavering confidence in the wisdom of the Lord High
Admiral; willinghood to rise up, leave all, and follow Christ, because
of the glad assurance that earth's best cannot bear comparison with
Heaven's least. --F. B. M.

It is by no means enough to set out cheerfully with your God on any
venture of faith. Tear into smallest pieces any itinerary for the
journey which your imagination may have drawn up.

Nothing will fall out as you expect.

Your guide will keep to no beaten path. He will lead you by a way such
as you never dreamed your eyes would look upon. He knows no fear, and He
expects you to fear nothing while He is with you.

The day had gone; alone and weak

I groped my way within a bleak

And sunless land.

The path that led into the light

I could not find! In that dark

night God took my hand.

He led me that I might not stray,

And brought me by a new, safe way

I had not known.

By waters still, through pastures green

I followed Him--the path was clean

Of briar and stone.

The heavy darkness lost its strength,

My waiting eyes beheld at length

The streaking dawn.

On, safely on, through sunrise glow

I walked, my hand in His, and lo,

The night had gone.

--Annie Porter Johnson

========================================================================
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/charles-e-cowman/by-faith-abraham-obeyed/
========================================================================