By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents (Hebrews 11:8-10)
What's amazing to me about the story of Abram who's name is later changed to Abraham is how God instructed him to, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you (Genesis 12:1-3).” Abram departed as the Lord had instructed. Abram took everything he owned and headed for the land of Canaan. The Bible says, Abram set up camp in a land which was inhabited by Canaanites (Genesis 12:6). The Lord appeared to Abram and said, "“I will give this land to your descendants (Genesis 12:7). Abram built an altar, dedicated it to the Lord, and worshipped Him. God was telling Abram to leave a familiar place and his family, pretty much everything he has ever known. Reading this kind of messed me up. You mean to tell me Abram just got up and left everything that he has ever known to go to an unfamiliar place just because God had instructed him to. Not only that but God was telling Abram that He would give him and his descendants land but the land was inhabited by someone else. Not to mention Abram doesn't even have any children. In my limited thinking, if God has instructed me to do something and then tells me something will be mine surely when I get to the particular place other people wouldn't be living in my land. If God is telling me that He's going to give this land to my descendants surely I would have children to give the land to in order to make this all be true. Everything God was telling Abram just didn't add up to me. But this is why Abram is rightfully called the Father of faith.
It then hit me! By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents (Hebrews 11:8-10). You see it won't always add up. God has given you a promise. He has placed a desire in your heart so large but you don't see anything remotely close to it happening. You become frustrated and discouraged because you're focused on what you see and not on what is unseen. The Bible says, "So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever (2 Corinthians 4:18). In spite of all the factors that lie before Abram, he still remained in faith. Even though he couldn't see what God was doing he believed that God would do it. You may not see what God promised you. You may not see the job that God promised you right after college or the husband that God has ordained for you. You may not see the plan that God has laid out for your life. For a lack of words, SO! God is faithful! He has not forgotten about you. He placed those desires in your heart therefore He knows how to bring them to the forefront. For goodness sake Abram couldn't see a thing. He didn't know where he was traveling to. Abram was setting up tents on someone else's land like a visitor but God was telling him it was his land. When things seem to go against what God has already told you make up in your mind that you won't be moved. Believe that you serve a good God. Not a God who will get you all hyped up for something but not bring it to pass. The Bible says, "it is impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6)." God has not forgotten about you! “Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I’d never forget you—never (Isaiah 49:14-15). I've said it before and I'll say it again! This is the year that our faith is going to grow in God. God has to take us to higher levels but He can't take us with immature faith in Him. Our faith must increase so we can have a more intimate relationship with Him and receive the great things He has in store for us.
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