“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.– Hebrews 11:8
The African impala can jump to a height of over ten feet and cover a distance of greater than thirty feet. Yet these magnificent creatures can be kept in an enclosure in any zoo with a three-foot wall. The animals will not jump if they cannot see where their feet will fall. Faith is leaping when you can’t see where you’re going to land.
In Genesis we read of Abraham, a man of faith, whom God called out of his hometown of Ur to a land God would later reveal to him. The word call in Hebrews 11:8 means “to invite.” And the word obey means “to submit.” Abraham submitted to the invitation of God.
Abraham believed God when he did not know where, when, how, or why. It was faith in God’s Word that made Abraham leave his home, live as a pilgrim, and follow God wherever He led. He was willing to sacrifice his hopes, dreams, and plans in order to follow God. Abraham had faith that God would lead him.
Another test of faith in Abraham’s life was when God asked him to sacrifice his only son on Mount Moriah. Notice God’s request to Abraham in Genesis 22:2, “And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” Abraham could have reasoned with God and made excuses. He could have said, “God, You promised me a son. I gave up my home in Ur and all the wealth I had to follow You here. I never complained when I didn’t know where we were going. I trusted You when You promised Sarah and me a son even though we were old. And now You want me to kill him, the apparent fulfillment of Your promise?” But rather than question God, Abraham trusted God. God was testing Abraham’s faith.
Through your lifetime, God will allow experiences to draw you closer to Him. Many times God will bring you into deep waters not to drown you, but to cleanse you and prepare you for the greater work He has planned for you. Do not be afraid of stepping out by faith. God won’t always show you the outcome before He requires you to trust Him.
Are you living in fear or in faith today? Are you living like the African impala, caged in by fear of the unknown? God desires that you would trust Him with each new step you take in your Christian life. He knows what’s best for you, so trust Him even when you can’t see the ending. –By Paul Chappell
