Scripture: Hebrews 11:8-12, 17-19 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. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore…
By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.
Devotional: “For we live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Though it was written after his life, there is perhaps no one who lived out this verse better than Abraham. God called Abraham to leave his family, his homeland, and his people to a place that was unknown to him. God also promised Abraham that he would make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, yet he did not have any kids. And his wife, Sarah, had been barren and was now of old age.
Yet, Abraham did as God had asked of him. God blessed him and his wife with a son, Isaac. It was through him that the promise of a nation of descendants would be possible. However, later on, God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac to Him. And Abraham so trusts God and His plan that He is willing to sacrifice his only son, even if it meant that the promise of so many descendants would be gone. As Isaac was about to be sacrificed, God told him to stop. Abraham is then recognized for his faith and how he handled this test!
He was willing to be obedient, regardless of what he would lose. When God initially called him to leave and go the Promised Land, he left behind everything he knew and loved. And when God asked him to sacrifice his son, he was willing to do so out of trust and faith. And he never really saw the fulfillment of the promises that God made to him. He never entered the Promised Land. He never saw all his descendants. But Abraham recognized that his true reward was in heaven. He lived open-handed with the things that God had given him, being willing to give them all back and be a part of God’s big plan.
True faith in God’s plan is understanding that we may not see the fulfillment of all the promises that He has made in our lifetime. It is trusting that He is going to use every part of our story and every season of our life for His good in His timing. These things are much easier said than done! In the midst of a dry season or a difficult season, this can be so difficult. This is when stories like this are such an encouragement. Let’s look to Abraham as an example of walking in faith, even when we do not know where we are going.
Reflect:
- What are some things that were difficult in your life that you can now see how God has used?
- What are you still waiting for answers from God on?