The Faith Of Abraham

"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going" (Hebrews 11:8).

Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One Who is leading. How often have I cried out to God in anguish, "Where are you leading, me?  What do You want of me?" No answer is forthcoming, silence, my anguish turns to despair. Did He not tell me that He would take care of me? Hasn't He promised me an abundant life? Then, somehow my mind is turned to Abraham. He was living near Babylon with his parents, family, when his father decided to move north to Haran, an area rich in the fertile crescent where they could prosper. Abraham knew then where he was going: to Haran, and knew the purpose. No problem! Life was good!

Then, out of nowhere came that small still voice, "Abraham, pack your things, gather your animals, convince Lot to go with you." (My scenario) Abraham stood by the entrance of his tent scratching his head, wondering where to go, north? east?, just came from south, maybe west. Let see, east, no, people there will never accept me, maybe north, no, those Macedonians, and Athenians, always in tribal warfare. Well, I guess it will be West. Then he wondered, "Why didn't God tell me which way to go?" So, Abraham, Lot, with all their possessions headed west. Lot just trusted Abraham, he was tired of Haran anyway and needed more room to graze his sheep so having a bit of nomadic in him he was ready to make the trip. Traveling about 15-20 miles a day, they trudged westward into the Palestinian land, it probable took about a year to make the 500 miles or so to reach Palestine. After arriving and taking up a day or rest, Abraham surveying the green grass fields of the Galilean landscape thought to himself, "Maybe this is it."  Then came that small still voice, "You are here and as far as your eye can see I give you this land." (again all my scenarios)

How could Abraham be so trusting and faithful? He wasn't even a Jew, a Chaldean by birth, living in a home where probably the gods of Babylon were worshiped he somehow had come to know the God of creation. You see the root of faith is the knowledge of a Person, and one of its biggest snares is the idea that God is sure to lead us to success. True faith has not that knowledge.

Faith leads to our character in the final stage. While we worship God in songs, prayer, we have the feeling of blessing upon us, then, we get back to the ordinary everyday things of life and the glory we felt, the blessing we felt vanishes. We read and quote wonderful words, "...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings of eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:31). Those words are true but not true of faith for faith is not mounting up with wings of eagles; but a life of walking and not fainting. It is not a question of sanctification rather something more: a faith that has been tried and proved  and has stood the test.  Abraham is not a type of sanctification, but a type of the life of faith, a tried faith built on a real God.  Abraham believed God!

We are called to be separated, we know not where God is leading us, our friends and families don't always understand this faith, not that we have dropped everything and headed headlong into something, rather a changed worldview that is demonstrated in a changed life. Luke records the words of Jesus and those who do  not have a personal relationship with Him do not understand this, "And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26).  Let us pick up our cross of faith, God will lead us just as He led Abraham, He is a God who does not change. The question is: Will we?

Daily Prayer:

Father as a mortal I have such great fears, my faith wanes at times, I don't know where you are taking me. I will wait upon You in faith, trusting in You Jesus for You came, died, rose again, ascended to the Father making intercession for me. Thank You that Holy Spirit lives within me, help me to hear His voice. Allow my faith to shine forth Your Glory so that I might be Your Light to my world.                    Amen