“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.” Hebrews 11:8-11
A few weeks ago, Pastor Smith gave a message on Mark 4, that touched on Jesus calming the storm. How many times has your small boat been on a stormy lake and been taking on water? Were you alone? I hope not. I hope that your faith kept you still; the Greatest Of ALL Time was with you as every drop of lake water drenched your body. Jesus was sitting right next with you in the stern of that boat.
In the above verses from Hebrews 11, we read that it was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. You, me and all believers throughout time have by faith weathered storms throughout history. We read the words "by faith" and they are the most important part of Abraham's story. He responded based on belief, not because he could see what was ahead, not because he had a preview of what the future held, but because "by faith" means he willingly exchanged the known for the unknown; all because he trusted in God.
God wants us to grow in faith through the storms in our life, not only because we need Him, but also because it's good for us. It stretches us beyond our comfort zone. We need to know the experience of embarking on an endeavor we've never tried before. We need to know that, with His help, we can safely tackle any challenge and when our clothes are soaking wet in our little boat; HE is there.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay