Unknown Places
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”
Hebrews 11:8
Abraham is best known for being the father of the great nation of Israel, God’s chosen people. In this passage of Scripture the unknown writer of Hebrews wants us to consider him as a model of faith not just because of his obedience to God but for something more.
God made a promise to Abraham that would require many years to accomplish. Abraham was promised to be the father of many but in his retirement years he still didn’t have a child of his own. He took in his nephew, Lot, but he was more of a problem than a blessing. At 90 years of age, Sarah, gave birth to their only son, Isaac. Even though they only had one son it was all part of God’s plan as Hebrews 11:12 says, “therefore, from one man, where born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”
What makes Abraham such a model of faith is summarized in Genesis 15:6, “And he believed the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness.” God didn’t give Abraham all the details, He just wanted Abraham to trust Him daily. The writer could have used the example of Abraham going up the mountain to sacrifice his son, Isaac, but instead he used the example of him faithfully packing up his entire family and possessions to journey into a foreign land not knowing where he was going. That is the kind of faith God expects from each of us.
We might not have all the details, but we can believe God will work out all the details in His timing. God just wants us to believe and trust Him for all things. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him…” (Hebrews 11:6) There are tremendous blessings for those who faithfully trust and obey God when traveling into the unknown places of life.
Pray as the apostles prayed, “Lord, increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5)
