When You Can't See

When I hear the name Abraham, I think of a familiar Sunday School tune...

Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had father Abraham.

Yes, he had many sons. But you know what else Abraham had? No idea where he was going!

When God called Abram, he gave him no directions or hints. All he knew was that he'd be going to the land that God would show him. Can you imagine God telling you to leave everything you’ve ever known behind to go to a foreign place?

I heard once heard a preacher say, “Faith does not insist on having all the answers before we obey. Faith is serving him even when we don’t have all the answers.”

That hit me. How often do we bargain with God, asking him for a sign before we decide to obey?

By faith Abram made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, like Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. He was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. (Hebrews 11:9-10

Abraham had a future to look forward to, a promise that was beyond anything he could see or imagine. His hope in God shaped his life in the moment, and he set his mind on things above with perseverance and faith (Colossians 3:1-3).

We have the benefit that Abraham never had: we can look back at the cross. I’m sure Abraham, Sarah and their descendants would never have guessed that the long-awaited King would be born to one of their descendants or that he would be humiliated on a cross.

I encourage you, friend, to be like Abraham. When you don’t have the answers, choose to focus on what is eternal rather than what is temporary. May the Lord renew your mind with what is true and renew your gaze to revel at his glory.

Walk by faith when you cannot see. With Christ as your anchor, you will end up where he wants you to be.

Holy Spirit, renew my mind today. I cannot see or know my future, even though I’d love to control it all. It would be easier if you let me see it, but then I would not know true faith in Jesus. Help me, Lord. I know you will lead me the right way. I wait on you today. Amen.

Additional Resources: It's not easy to wait. We know that good is on the way as we anticipate celebrating Jesus' birth, but there are still many more days ahead. Here is a series of articles to help you as you wait on the Lord: Life in the Waiting Room