There is a verse of Scripture that suddenly begins to
make a lot of sense to me. It is found in Hebrews 11:8 and concerns the father
of our faith - Abram. (Remember, he was not called Abraham until later in his
life). (Heb 11:8 NASB) “And By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by
going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went
out, not knowing where he was going.” The phrase, “And not knowing where he was
going” was really a hallmark in his life. Up until this time things in his life
seem to have been well-ordered.
I am assuming that Abram was content to live among his
family in the land of Haran. The Scripture suggests nothing else. But suddenly,
after the death of Terah his father, he was confronted by the Lord and told to
leave Haran, his relatives and his father’s house and simply go.
Whether Abram knew or worshiped Jehovah God before this
event is not indicated in Scripture, but he recognized enough in the encounter
to know he was confronted by God, that God had something in mind for him that
could not be known apart from obedience. So, the Scripture tells us that “And he
went out, not knowing where he was going.” There are several things that are
suggested in this account which I believe to be important in the life of any
Christian, any servant of the Lord. I see first of all -
God’s Timing
Genesis 11:32 states that “And Terah died in Haran.”
Terah was 205 years old, and although the Scripture does not tell us how old
Abram was at the time, it is certain he knew his father for many years before
his death. It is interesting to note that the Word states {Gen. 12:1} “And Now
the Lord said to Abram ...” There are many things we may surmise relative to the
timing of God’s call to Abram, but the ‘one thing we cannot alter is that God
called Abram in His own time.
The Precipitation Of Change
I think we can assume that the Lord knew that
circumstances were ripe to issue His call. It was a time of grief and mourning
for his father, and yet the Lord knew Abram well enough to give him an
opportunity to respond to His calling - and he did!
In most instances the Lord allows circumstances to bring
about a confrontation which causes real change or changes in our lives.
Comfortable people rarely want to leave their comfort zone, so the Lord
generally arranges something we cannot ignore in order to get our attention. In
my own life, it was a severe disappointment in the integrity of the denomination
of which I was a part. It started the process of the greatest change as a
Christian and servant of the Lord that ever happened to me. At times the process
has been exceedingly painful for me (and my family). While the pain at times
seemed to be excessive, the Lord has produced something in my heart and ministry
that could have come about in no other way, for which I am most grateful.
Looking back, I would not have had it happen in any other fashion.
In the most significant times in my life the decisions
made were generally precipitated when circumstances were such that I became
sensitive to something beyond what I was doing or had planned to do. But, as I
look back on my life I understand that the Lord has always been in the process,
and certainly knew what He was doing in my life, whether it was simply to change
me more into His image or to change the task or circumstance in my life.
The next significant thing I see is about -
Hearing the Lord
In Abram’s case the Word simply states “And The Lord
said to Abram.” We do not know for certain if God spoke in a literal voice or to
the inner man. I believe it was the former, but whichever it was, Abram heard!
Although circumstances may make us more sensitive to the voice of the Lord, He
does speak to us. What kind of God or heavenly Father would He be if He has a
specific call or purpose for us and never let us know or tell us? It would
surely be out of character for Him.
Jesus made an interesting statement to Satan during His
temptation by Satan in the wilderness. When Satan tempted him to make bread out
of stones because He was hungry, He replied, (Mat 4:4 NASB) But He answered and
said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT
PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'" The Lord continues today to speak a
proceeding word. It is my personal conviction that this is one of the greatest
needs in Christ’s body today - to learn to hear the voice of the Lord. How can
one obey the Lord if one cannot hear His voice? We have much biblical evidence
which reveals this. Acts 13:1-2 states, (Acts 13:1 NASB) {1}And Now there were
at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and
Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been
brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. {2} And while they were
ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me
Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." The Scripture
clearly states “And the Holy Spirit said ..” If that is not speaking, I sure do
not know how to define it. Whether or not it was to or through one of the
prophets gathered, the Holy Spirit still spoke.
Another clear example is found in Acts 9:10-17
concerning Ananias, a disciple in Damascus, when he heard from the Lord
concerning Saul of Tarsus. It clearly states in verse 10 that the Lord spoke to
him in a vision. Again, if that’s not speaking I do not know how to define the
word. And I think we must remember: God is no respecter of persons and will
speak to any child of His at any time He may choose.
The next thing I see is -
The Reality Of Faith
Hebrews 11:8 states, “By faith Abraham, when he was
called, obeyed ...” Whatever faith is or may be, it is real enough to produce a
response. Abraham’s faith responded in obedience. Hebrews 11:1, the biblical
definition of faith defines it like this: (Heb 11:1 KJV) “Now faith is the
substance (assurance - NAS] of things hoped for, the evidence of things not
seen.” Dr. A. T. Robertson defines the word substance as title-deed. American
Heritage Dictionary defines title or deed as follows - a. The coincidence of all
the elements that constitute the fullest legal right to control and dispose of
property or a claim. b. The aggregate evidence that gives rise to a legal right
of possession or control. c. The instrument, such as a deed, that constitutes
this evidence. In assessing this in light of Heb. 11:1, we may define faith as
the title-deed that constitutes the evidence. The reality of Abram’s faith was
that God was going to do what He said He was going to do. It is stated clearly
in Gen. 12:2. (Gen 12:2 NASB) {2} And I will make you a great nation, And I will
bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; ...” But
the promise was predicated upon Abram’s now ... getting out and going unto a
land which I will shew thee. Real faith always produces a response of
obedience.
One of the great characteristics of human life is that
we want to be in control of our lives. In most of us, we want to know what we’re
doing from the cradle to the grave. We want to be comfortable. God told Abraham
what He was going to do for him, but He didn’t give Abraham the details. It was
the process of God working out in Abraham what He desired of him and from him.
By faith he obeyed God when he left Haran, but a much greater test of his faith
came when he held the knife at Isaac’s throat intending to sacrifice him because
God had commanded it. Trust and faith are those things which are beyond our
soul. Saul, the persecutor of the Church, would have never chosen to champion
the faith he was persecuting. He was on his way to great honor in the Sanhedrin.
But the Lord confronted him and immediately uncertainty came upon him –
"rise, and enter the city, and it shall be told you what you must do." He was no
longer in control of his life. In his own words, he became a prisoner of Jesus
Christ.
I rediscovered a Scripture which has come to bring me
real peace. It is Psalm 31:15, which says in part “My times are in Thy hand.” As
I look at my past life, I am amazed at how true this simple statement really is.
My heavenly Father has led me in times and places I would never have chosen, but
if money could buy them back (even if I had it) I would shout a resounding NO! I
have learned more of the love of God, His grace, His Person, His ways, His
provision, His purpose, through my times being in His hand than I could have
ever learned had I been in charge of my life and destiny. How grateful I have
become for the blessing of uncertainty.
Faith and trust in the child of God’s life cannot come
from the soul. They are not temporal, but eternal in nature. Neither are
demanding by nature. They do not demand answers, but yield to the awesome love
and confidence in an incomparable heavenly Father. No wonder the apostle Paul
could write, (Phil 4:6-7) {6} “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto
God. {7} And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Our uncertainty becomes the peaceful
surety that the Lord is in charge of all things, and furthermore He knows what
He is doing.
Dear Lord, How we thank you that Your ways are not our
ways and your thoughts our thoughts. And how we thank You, for because we know
this we are able to have complete faith and trust in Your ways, for Your word
says in Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for
good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Amen.
