I haven’t written in a while. Firstly my laptop crashed and i lost most of my material ( i usually plan things in advance and had many posts already written ) and secondly have been tied up with promoting my new album. Anyway the purpose of this post is not that but to look at something that is taking place in the body of Christ currently.

One day i wake up to find a story of Israel Houghton on facebook. It was heartbreaking to see that he was getting a divorce but despite all the noise that people were making i just understood one thing: he is man and he falls at times but God is faithful. The saga continued with people questioning his new found love Adrienne Bailon ( some claiming he was cheating on his wife with her, such a claim which Israel dismissed on his facebook page )

Now to get into my post. It is only Christians who shoot their wounded. I find in the bible the story of King David and Bathsheba. Think about it for a moment- this guy sleeps with someones wife, then goes on to kill the husband after the wife is pregnant, and to make matters worse then takes Bathsheba as his wife just after the mourning period. And yet God calls this man, a man after my own heart. Can you imagine the atmosphere in Israel during David’s scandal. Oh and by the way David only repented after he had been confronted by the prophet. But the important thing is he repented.  I dont know all the details of Israel’s issues but i am happy that he came out on social media and confessed his sins and i deeply respected what he did. Very few people in his position would do that. And as to the fact that just after a divorce he is now going out with another woman- well he is a grown man and we cannot determine how and when he can move on after his divorce. I know i might get a lot of backlash because of this post but if God has forgiven him who are we to hold this against him. Remember the issue of the woman caught in adultery- Jesus says he who is without sin let him cast the first stone. Everyone moved away from the greatest first to the least. Jesus said he did not condemn her but that she should go and sin no more.

The bible says if we confess our sins he is faithful and just he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.

Christ did not come to create a ministry of condemnation. Unfortunately religion has now caused us to be hypocritical. If we were to expose the sins of all those who are condemning Israel we might just shift our attention off him to those people. God knows i have my own indiscretions and when i see a brother fall i don’t see an opportunity to condemn but rather an opportunity to pray for my brother.

This is my take on the matter. You might disagree with it but i believe Israel Houghton is a man after God’s heart. Has he made mistakes-yes but let us leave him to his maker.It is not our issue lest we be guilty of not forgiving one whom God has already forgiven.

To my brother and fellow worshiper, Israel Houghton. Be strong, take heart, write more songs. I for one am looking forward to the songs that will come from this ordeal. You are a man after God’s heart. Just take heed to your ministry and continue the good work.

WORSHIP EVALUATION

In previous posts i outlined how instruments are used to bring the divine presence of God. However in our churches we might have a sound praise and worship team, a skilled and solid band yet at times we might find ourselves doing our services in error and people’s lives not being transformed. We need to follow the biblical example in our services.

Let’s look at 1 Chronicles 13. David consulted with the leaders to bring the ark of God( which represents the presence of God) to Jerusalem. The only problem is they did not enquire from God. They carried the ark of God on a cart ( the ark was supposed to be carried on the shoulders of the Levites ) and played with all their might on various instruments. However  Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark when the oxen stumbled and the anger of the lord was kindled against Uzza.

This is exactly what happens when we do our services based on our knowledge and skill and not based on biblical principles. David consulted the leaders of Israel but forgot to consult God. Sometimes we sit in meetings to determine how our services should go and forget to consult the King of Kings on how he wants things to be done. Don’t get me wrong. People pray before these types of meetings but it’s just a religious formality. In shona (my native toungue ) we call it “kuzadzisa chirango” i.e just going through the motions

The ark was supposed to be carried on the shoulders of the levites. Its either David was not reading his word or something. There was something terribly wrong here. This was written as an example for us so that we don’t fall in the same trap. Unfortunately many churches are not doing their worship based on what the word says and it’s doing a lot of harm. I have been in services where we play before the Lord with all our might but his manifest presence will not be there and at times we remove people from the presence of God instead of drawing them closer to God. Let’s take a quick look at how this might happen:

• Lets quickly do praise and worship so we can get in the word!

This is a problem especially with pastors and leaders. Pastor you should know that your sermon does not benefit God, it benefits the congregation and it only benefits the congregation when you are preaching what he wants’ them to hear. Also if the congregation does not engage well enough in the praise and worship, the pastor will have a tough time preaching the word because the hearts of the people will not be prepared.

At times God might want to shift the services so that miracles will happen and prophetic words will be released but because the pastor is eager to preach his message, he cuts the flow of the Holy Spirit. We need to be sensitive to the leading of God and not just to have our way.

• The service has to start and end on time regardless of the circumstances.

Please understand me on this point. I am not saying that we should start our services anytime. We need to have a standard and people need to know the exact time that the service will start and the exact time that the service will end. However there is need for a proper sound check before the service and guitars need to be tuned before the service starts. It is very irritating for instrumentalists to be tuning their guitars while people are praying or worse still when the service has started. Also doing a sound check while people are praying and trying to connect with their maker is highly disruptive and disrespectful to a congregation!

This point especially applies for churches that do not have their own building and hence move their equipment from one point to another or churches who do not have their own equipment and hence wait for the company that hires out equipment to them.

• Worship leaders ask the band the songs they would like to play

I have always been and will always be against this. A worship leader does not consult the band on the songs to be sung, he/she should consult God. This is exactly what David did and it caused a lot of trouble. A better scenario would be for both the worship leader and the band to consult God on the songs to be done. The band will then just act to confirm what God has told the worship leader.

• We should sing our Denomination’s songs only!

This is just downright silly. We are all the body of Christ. I believe that if a song is biblical( that is its in line with the word of God ) no matter from what denomination it’s from, if it is the song in season- let it be sung. Would you rather sing your denominations song without the glory of God or sing what’s on the heart of God so the congregation can experience his manifest presence. I prefer the latter.

• We repeat the same songs every week.

You can’t keep on doing the same songs every week. They say variety is the spice to life and I must say it’s true. If you keep on repeating the same songs every week it ends up being boring for the congregation. In Isaiah 43:18-19 God says,” behold I do a new thing. Consider not the former things, neither consider the things of Old”. Psalms also talks of singing a new song unto the Lord.

• The pastor or his wife comes to sing when they cannot sing!

I f you can’t sing don’t hold the microphone. When the pastor and/or his wife comes to stage and starts singing and yet he/she is off key or making a discord there is no glory there. If a pastor comes on stage while people are singing and he/she cannot sing but they feel like singing it’s better to put the microphone aside and sing while letting the singers sing that song for them on the microphone. Just because you are a pastor’s wife it does not mean you have to be able to sing ( It seems these days the fashionable thing is for the Pastor to preach the word and then the wife and kids lead the Praise & Worship Team making it more of a family affair).

• Lead vocalists that are not vocally enabled!

I do not understand how some people choose their worship leaders/lead vocalists. At times in the church you find people chosen who don’t have an idea of what singing is or worse still who don’t have the gift holding the microphone and “supposedly” leading us in worship! The bible is clear about this ministry. Kenaniah was chosen because of his skill. Let not our choosing of lead vocalists be based on fleshly agenda’s like grudges, preferences or any such thing- it should be based solely on the Spirits leading and line up with scripture.

VERSES ON INSRUMENTS

First of all I believe it is important that we understand that it was the commandment of the Lord by his prophets that the Levites be set in the house of the Lord with instruments. In 2 Chronicles 29:25-26 it says:”And he set the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David ,and Gad the King’s seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the Lord by his prophets. And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the Priests with the trumpets.”

In Numbers 10 God commands Moses to make a trumpet showing us that instruments have always been on the heart of God. Actually he is the one who instituted their use as seen in these scriptures.

The first account of use of instruments is found in Genesis 15:20-21 when Miriam and other women take timbrels to dance and sing to celebrate the drowning of the Egyptians. However we know that instruments were used long before this because in Genesis 4:21 we are told of Jubal who is referred to as the Father of all such as handle the harp and organ.

They are a lot of other verses on instruments that we will never know using our English translation because as you know the Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek. There is a word that is translated praise or sing in our English rendering that is actually the Hebrew word Zamar and this word in simple terms talks of playing an instrument.

MORE ABOUT ZAMAR

Zamar (zaw-mar’) is a Hebrew word which means,” to touch the strings l parts of a musical instrument i.e. play upon it, to make music accompanied by the voice, hence to celebrate in song and music:– give praise, sing forth praises, psalms”

Many times in Psalms especially the word is translated praise or sing or sing psalms or sing praise or I will sing. Therefore many times we just rush through some of these scriptures and we don’t even get what the writer wanted to convey to us because the English translation is shallow. Zamar is not found in Psalms only but most of the occurrences are in Psalms. Below are verses where the word Zamar is used. These are not all the verses but will just help to enlighten you on the concept.

Judges 5:3 says,”Hear, O ye Kings; give ear, O ye princes; I even I will sing unto the Lord; I will sing (zamar) praise to the Lord God of Israel.”

2 Samuel 22:50 “Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing (zamar) praises unto thy name.”

1 Chronicles 16:9 “sing unto him, sing psalms (zamar) unto him, talk ye of all his wonderous works”

Psalm 7:17 “I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness and will sing praise (zamar) to the name of the Lord most high”

Psalm 30:4 “Sing (zamar) unto the Lord O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the rememberance of his holiness”

Psalm 47:6-7 “Sing praises (zamar) to God, sing praises (zamar): sing praises (zamar) unto our king, sing praises (zamar). For God is the king of all the earth: sing ye praises (zamar) with understanding”

Psalm 57:7 “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise (zamar)”(Also in psalm108:1)

Psalm 66:2 “Sing forth(zamar) the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.”

Psalm 66:4 “All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing(zamar) unto thee; they shall sing(zamar) to thy name”

Psalm 104:33 “I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing(zamar)praise to my God while I have my being”

Psalm 105:2 “Sing unto him, sing psalms(zamar)unto him: talk ye of all his wonderous works”

Psalm 135:3 “Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good: sing praises(zamar) unto his name, for it is pleasant”

Psalm 147:1 “Praise ye the Lord for it is good to sing praises(zamar) unto our God for it is pleasant and praise is comely”

THEN THERE IS ZIMRAH

There is also another Hebrew word that is connected with instruments called Zimrah (zim-raw) and it implies a musical piece or song to be accompanied by an instrument;.. Melody, psalm

In Psalm 98:5 he says, “Sing(zamar) unto the Lord with the harp, with the harp, and the voice(sound) of a psalm(Zimrah)”

ALSO THERE IS ZIMRATH(Zim-rawth’)!

This I believe is related to Zimrah. It is the Hebrew word which means instrumental music and is translated song in the English versions. We find it first in Exodus 15 after the Israelites had walked on dry land while the Egyptians where drowned when they try to do the same. In verse 2 Moses says, “The Lord is my strength and song (zimrath), and is become my salvation; he is my God and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”

This word is also found in Psalm 118:14 and Isaiah 12:2 and it is translated song in the King James Version. Yes it’s a song but more precisely it is an instrumental meaning there are no voices.

In the New Testament there is ‘psallo’

This word psallo ( psa’-lo) is translated psalms in the new testament and it means:                                      To twitch or twang, i.e. to a play on a stringed instrument(celebrate the divine worship with music and accompanying odes): make melody, sing psalms.

When James in James 5:13b says ,” Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.” The word psalms is the greek word psallo. So James is saying if you are happy sing a song accompanied by an instrument.

Some interesting things

We are still looking at the verses that talk about instruments. However here they are certain principles that I want us to draw from these verses as they have specific aspects they reveal concerning this ministry.

• YOU NEED UNDERSTANDING

When it comes to instruments you need understanding. Psalm 47:7 says sing praises with understanding. The word translated praise is zamar. The word translated understanding is ‘sakal’. This word means to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent; — consider, expect, instruct, prosper,(deal) prudently, (give) skill(-ful), have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand(-ing) wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise(-ly), guide wittingly

So when we sing with instruments, or play instruments there has to be an understanding of keys and how you can manipulate the instruments or progression so as to produce a quality product. This is so important because I have noticed that some worship leaders just put songs in an order but not considering the different keys in which these songs will be played in and how the instrumentalists will move from one song to another. Also they are some instrumentalists who just move in different keys without even using a connecting progression and this is irritating to the ears.

The end of the matter is that you need understanding. You cannot just play or sing without an understanding of what you are doing. As such worship leaders and instrumentalists should research(study) about their instruments so that they can produce the best.

• THE TYPE OF INSTRUMENT THAT YOU USE MATTERS

In Psalms 92:3 there is an amazing revelation concerning the quality of instrument that you play and also the sound which is produced by these instrument.  Our aim in the Kingdom is to get instruments with a “solemn” sound and the best quality. Psalm 92:3 says,” upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery, upon the harp with a solemn sound.” In modern day language I believe the psalmist is saying don’t just play any instrument, look for the best(10 strings) that produces a good sound( with a solemn sound)

In psalm 81:2 Asaph says,” Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.” There is the pleasant harp which means there is also an unpleasant harp. Asaph just didn’t want any harp, he wanted the pleasant harp. Don’t just buy any instrument ,get the best. Even if you don’t have a lot of money you can get the best out of the money that you have because most of the times pastors/deacons just buy any instrument but then the sound of that instrument might not be suitable for a service or might be poor quality. Also in buying things like drum skins and cymbals you might be buying a product that won’t even last for a month. Get the best, don’t just settle for anything.

it is a sad thing when a pastor/leader that has no knowledge of instruments just goes and buys instruments without consulting those who can play the instruments for what would be the best model and the alternatives they can work with considering the circumstances and finances of the church. Listen to me pastors/leaders: be humble enough to ask for advice in areas where you are ignorant or have little knowledge( proverbs 24:6)

• The more the merrier!

1 Chronicles 23:5 lets us know that Israel had a band of 4000 people! Now when I read this I was dumb folded. David says 4000 praised the Lord with the instruments which I made to praise therewith. When you have a lot of instruments and instrumentalists it improves the quality of your music and you produce a better quality product. So don’t be just content with one keyboard, two electric guitars, one acoustic and a drum( others even have less). Seek more things. Get a violin, trumpets, tambourines and all that you can add to MAKE HIS PRAISE GLORIOUS.

• You need to change your instruments after some time.

In  1 Kings 10:12it tells us that,” And the King made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the Lord, and for the king’s house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day.” Now you are wondering how this verse relates to what I’m talking about. We know that 1 Chronicles 23:5 lets us know that David made instruments now 20 years later these instruments could no longer be used since they were no longer efficient and that’s why Solomon had to have other instruments made.

After a reasonable time the church needs to buy new equipment because the equipment they will be using will have grown archaic(old). We want to produce the best and for us to produce the best we have to have the best.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF INSTRUMENTS? WHY PLAY INSTRUMENTS?

This is a very good question because as amazing as it may seem most people don’t know the biblical role of instruments. However the bible is full of verses that reveal the importance of instruments in our services and in worshipping God. Here are some of the roles that have been revealed to me:

1. Instruments are used to bring the manifest presence of the Lord to a service, area or individual

In 2 Samuel 6:1-5 when the children of Israel were bringing the ark of God(representing the presence of God) in verse 5 it is said, ”and David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments…..” Its amazing here that there is no mention of singing. It was just the instruments. For that manifest presence of God at times you don’t need singing, you need just to have the instruments.

In the same chapter in verse 15 it says, “So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of a trumpet” The Ark of the Covenant represents the presence of God and actually in the Old Testament it carried the presence of God. So when the children of Israel wanted to bring the ark they needed all manner of instruments to accomplish their task. We are no exception. For that manifest presence of God in our services we need to play instruments (as many as we can actually) and we will experience a great move of God in our Churches.

2. Instruments rally the people of God to prayer and warfare

1 Corinthians 14:8 says, “for if the trumpet give an uncertain sound who shall prepare himself to battle” I n the olden times when calling soldiers to war or when warning a city of an impending onslaught the trumpet would be blown. Instruments are like the radar of the Spirit. We call the people of God to prayer or cause them to stop by what we will be playing.

In 2 Samuel 18:16 it was after Job blew the trumpet that the children of Israel knew that the war was over. Also when the house of Saul and the house of David was at war with each other it was only after Joab blew the trumpet that the people stopped fighting with each other(2 Samuel 2:28). Actually there is an insight in Nehemiah which I have so loved. The trumpet was so important to the extent of its holder having to be near Nehemiah (Nehemiah 4:18b). It is because the trumpet is a great rallying instrument that would bring the people together to focus on one goal. This is exactly what instruments do. Nehemiah says,”In what place therefore you shall hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us, our God shall fight for us”

Also see Numbers 10:1-10 and Isaiah 27:13

3. Instruments release us into the prophetic

In 2 Kings 3 when Elisha wanted to prophesy to Jehoshaphat and Jehoram he asked for a minstrel and it was only after the minstrel had played that Elisha released the word of the Lord. Actually verse 15 says,” And it came to pass, when the minstrel played that the hand of the Lord came upon him and he said……” There are times when you cannot go to higher realms and release a fresh word from God unless instruments are played. And yet some think they are not important or worse still you consider them a nuisance!

In 1 Chronicles 25:3 we are told of Jeduthun and his sons who prophesied with the harp, to give thanks and praise to the Lord. Certain preachers have caught this revelation and that’s why you see them preaching accompanied by a pianist.

In 1 Samuel 10:5-10 we see the story of Saul who receives the Spirit of the Lord and prophesies only after he has met a band of prophets. The logical thing was for him to receive the Spirit as he was with the man of God (Samuel) and then prophesy in his presence. Yet God was not to have it this way. A certain atmosphere had to be created first and this atmosphere could only be created by instruments. Verse 5b-6 says, “ and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy : And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon thee, and thou shall prophesy with them and thou shalt be turned into another man” Here is a full band that just creates a powerful prophetic atmosphere that just causes the Spirit of God to hit Saul like a tonne of bricks. O that this would take place in our services.

4. Instruments create a heavenly atmosphere

Instruments are so important in heaven that we find in Revelations 5:8-9 the 24 elders having harps and they sing a new song to God on these harps. Do you want to bring heaven here on earth? Play instruments and see if it will not work.

5. Instruments are used to aid singing

This point is evident even without a verse. Compare a person singing without an instrument and a person singing with an instrument. That’s why it’s called an accompaniment. Psalm 98:5 says,” Sing to the Lord with the harp; with the harp and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the King” and Psalm 68:25 says,” The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels”

6. Playing Instruments brings refreshment and deliverance to the hearer

In 1 Samuel 16 is the story of Saul who was tormented and he looked for a cunning player on a harp. Verse 23 says,” and it came to pass when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed”

7. Instruments aid worship by creating an atmosphere for worship

You might be thinking that point 5 and 7 are the same. They are different because singing and worship are two different things altogether. Singing can be part of worship but singing alone is not worshiping. Also you can worship God without singing.

In Daniel 3:5-7 instruments are used to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s idol. The unfortunate thing is that these people were worshiping an idol yet God wants us to learn from this. When we worship God aided by instruments our worship goes to a whole new level and this is especially true in corporate gatherings and in our places of worship. This is why the 24 elders in heaven have harps as they worship him who sits on the throne (Revelations 8:5-9). Also if you look at David, a man after God’s own heart; we find that he instituted worship for the nation of Israel and there were people whose work day and night was to play instruments in the tent of the meeting-the place of worship (1 Chronicles 25:6)

8. Instruments are used to celebrate

In the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 we are told that as the elder son was coming from the field, drawing near to the house he heard the sound of music and dancing. This was a party to celebrate the homecoming of a lost son. On the alter call it is wise to have your instruments and have a celebration for those people who will have come to Christ because guess what? The angels in heaven will also be having a party!

In Numbers 10:10 God says,” Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginning of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the Lord your God”

9. Instruments bring the salvation of God

In Numbers 10:9 God says,” And if you go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the Lord your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.’’ Now isn’t this just great. We see a clear demonstration of this concept in 2 Chronicles 20:20-29.

10. Instruments are used to proclaim God as King

Now you might be wondering what exactly this point means. You see in the olden days when you would proclaim somebody as King you would do it with a trumpet while shouting, long live the King. This is seen in 2 Kings 9:13, 1 Kings 1:39, 2 Kings 11:14. We use our modern day instruments to proclaim Jesus as King to those who don’t know it yet and also to the devil and his demons. You want to announce the presence of the King with style and what better way than using instruments.

Dare to believe you can enjoy life

Life was never meant to be dreaded but to be enjoyed. Jesus says that I came that they might have and enjoy life ( John 10:10 ). So many people are living miserably but can you dare to believe that you will enjoy your life.

Sometimes you just need to believe you can go to that fancy restaurant that you always pass through and are always wishing you can go to if things get better. Guess what, you have to make things better.

Part of my experience of daring to enjoy life includes taking myself out to various places to eat, have fun and just relax. I also find that when you enjoy your money it motivates you to make more money. I find I work harder to get more money the moment I enjoy the money I am working for.

Generally most Christians do not enjoy their lives. Truth be told most Christians live a dull and boring life, and they do so not because they want to but because there is this false notion that enjoying life is sinful. When I look at the life of Jesus I see a man who would enjoy his life- walking on water (how cool is that seriously), sleeping in storms with no worries- only if more Christians would enjoy a good night’s sleep. Most people are living a boring, stressful life. This is not what Jesus died on the cross for.

He says I came that you might have and enjoy life.

Dare to believe when it does not make sense

The bible has a story of an apocalypse that occurred in ancient times where the whole of humanity was destroyed with the exception of a man and his family only.

  And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it. And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. ( Genesis 6:13-17 )

I will give you a number of reasons why all of this did not make sense:

• It had never rained before. Genesis 2:5-6 lets us know that mist used to come from the whole earth and it would water the ground.
• The ark took a very long time to build and such a venture had never been undertaken in the course of man’s history.
• Everyone else was having a blast and enjoying themselves, carrying out their business which probably was flourishing in the moment but Noah and his family were working on an ark that had no value at the time to mankind.
• It was only Noah who received the word of this apocalypse so this was the word of one against many

In Hebrews 11:7   we are informed that

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

There will be moments when obeying God, obeying his word or moving to his instructions will not make any sense. Let us take Abraham, the father of faith as an example:

Abraham was told to leave his nation and go to a place that the Lord will show him. How do you undertake a journey when you do not know the destination? Surely that could be considered as madness, to leave your whole family and all that you know and to go to only God knows where!

Hebrews 11:8

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

The key here is that he did not know where he was going, the scripture says not knowing where he went. I mean seriously how do you just start packing your belongings and start going to a place that you do not know where it is, a place that the Lord will show you. I can imagine the conversation between Abraham and his family. I believe they told him he had gone loco!

You have to understand that these people worshiped idols, they did not know Jehovah ( the unseen God ) so for Abraham to come already introducing a new deity was pushing it, and now this new God wanted him to move away from his family. Today we read these stories and it just looks simple to us but in that day it was not that simple.

Abraham was not always called Abraham, he was Abram.

 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.  And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. ( Genesis 15:1-6 )

The Lord changed his name and said he would be a father of many nations. At the moment he had no child and his wife was past the age of child bearing. None of this made sense! This did not make sense to the extent that Sarah even gave Abraham her slave thinking that the promise would be fulfilled through Hagar because she thought she could not give Abraham a child. She actually claimed that it was the Lord who had stopped her from bearing children.

Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. ( Genesis 16:1-2 )

For Sarah to have a child did not make any sense at all. Abraham in Genesis 17:17 even laughs after God tells him Sarah will have a child. In Genesis 18:12 Sarah again laughs when God says to Abraham they would have a child. That’s just how in the natural it did not make sense for these two people to have a child. BUT GOD! GOD SPECIALIZES IN IMPOSSIBILITIES! He will at times ask you to do things that do not make sense in the natural and you will have to Dare To Believe when it does not make sense.