Sharing our Journey of Faith, part 2

Bob
Hebrews 11:8 says, “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.” This verse recalls Genesis 12:1 that says, "Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.'” In other words, between the “Go” and the “I will show” is a “not know.” And this is not the only time God sent Abraham on a mission without a map!

One of the special memories I will take with me from Taylor University is a course called Inductive Study of the Bible. Every semester the students and I unpack the story told in Genesis 22 known to Jews, Muslims, and Christians throughout the world as the Aqedah, the binding of Isaac. The passage begins as God commands Abraham, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” One of the first observations students make is that God’s directions to Abraham are not very specific! God points Abraham in the direction of Moriah, but then adds that he will reveal to Abraham the exact location when he gets there! Hebrews 11:8 confirms for us that the call of God in Abraham’s life involved some uncertainties: "and he went out not knowing where he was going." It was those uncertainties in Abraham’s journey which created a space that faith alone could fill.

Chris
Abraham headed toward Moriah, knowing only he was to sacrifice his son. For us this call has a painful component as well. “Leave your daughter, your only daughter Rebekah, whom you love. Leave your son-in-law Jorge and the children they will one day have. Leave the opportunity to live near them and see those grandchildren grow. Leave the chance to pour into them your love for Me on a day-by-day basis. Leave them behind in Miami and follow My call to LA.” Now we are not being asked to put our daughter to death, but the Lord is asking us to put to death the dream of being hands-on grandparents. In Hebrews 11:19 we read that Abraham believed that God was able to raise the dead, and that he did receive Isaac back from the brink of death. And we know that the Lord will more than fill our hearts as we follow Him by faith.