By
Faith
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was
called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he
set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the
land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac
and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promises. For
he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder
is God. By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was
too old - and Sarah herself was barren - because he considered himself faithful
who had promised. Therefore from one person, and this
one as good as dead, descendants were born, "as many as the stars of
heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore."
All of these died in faith without having
received the promises, but from a distance they saw
and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the
earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a
homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they
would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better
country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called
their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.
Hebrews 11:8-16
One of the greatest obstacles we face in
following Christ is fear of the unknown. We yearn to know in advance the
outcome of our obedience and where He is taking us, yet we are given only the
assurance that He is with us and that He is in charge. And with that, we
venture into the unknown with Him.
Abraham modeled the response of a person
who is willing to walk with God into an uncertain future. We may do the same by
trusting our Lord for the future and stepping out in faith. As we stand on the
threshold of a new year, give yourself to Jesus.
Venture into the
unknown with faith in God.
Our
Daily Bread -