We walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7
One of my favorite men of the Bible is Abraham. What impresses me so much is his absolute faith in God. In Genesis 12:1-4 we read: “Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; And I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing… So Abram went forth as the Lord had spoken to him.
Hebrews 11:8 says “By faith Abraham (called Abram until God later changed his name), when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.” That’s what I love so much about him. He didn’t argue with God, he didn’t complain about leaving his family, he didn’t require a road map of where he would be going or any details about what life would be like if he obeyed. God said “Go,” and Abram went!
God had promised Abram that he would be the father of many nations. Romans 4:19-21 tells of the impossibility of that promise being fulfilled in human terms: Without becoming weak in faith, he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.
And then we read in Genesis 21 about the birth of Isaac, at the time God had appointed. Imagine the joy of God’s promise fulfilled after so many years of waiting! But some years later, chapter 22 begins with God testing Abraham’s faith. He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” Verse 3 says, “So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son, and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.” There is no mention of Abraham arguing with God or delaying to follow His command. He left early the next morning!
Abraham prepared all he would need for the sacrifice of his son. He had the knife ready in his hand to slay Isaac. At that moment, Abraham heard an angel of the Lord calling to him from heaven. He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” Abraham looked up, and just behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son. Again, God clearly told Abram to “Go,” and he went!
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” We can’t see all that God is doing. But if we belong to Him, we can wholeheartedly trust His promises in His Word. Here are some of God’s promises that I keep on my desk to review often:
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord…
Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. [One of the Hebrew names of God is El Roi, the God who sees.]
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
John10:4 When He puts forth all His own, He goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow Him because they know His voice.
From Jesus Calling, October 27th: As you become increasingly aware of My Presence, you find it easier to discern the way you should go… Instead of wondering about what is on the road ahead or worrying about what you should do if…or when…, you can concentrate on staying in communication with Me. When you actually arrive at a choice-point, I will show you which direction to go.
PERSONAL REFLECTION
How have you experienced God’s leading in your life?
Can you think of something He has called you to do that seems impossible?
Will you follow Abraham’s example and just obey without question when God has made it clear what He wants you to do?
What would keep you from doing what He asks?
This was perfect this morning!
This is so good. I appreciate the quote from Jesus Calling. If we are in the habit of obeying God step by step in the little things, when something unexpected comes along that requires a lot of faith to obey, He will show us what to do and we will respond in obedience because it’s a habit. I tend to try to think of all the what if’s and what I would do, rather than just trusting God one step at a time.
How glad I am that God gave us an example of faith through Abraham, and I’m glad you wrote about it. I have to do taxes for the first time ever and it seems impossible, yet God has called me to do many things these days that my husband used to take care of. How thankful I am for 1Th 5:24 which says, “He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it..” I must choose to trust my LORD as never before in absolute faith and resist the anxiety that seeks to crush me. Thank you, dear Sherrilyn, for your biblical encouragement!