By Faith

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country…for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” –Hebrews 11:8-10

Chapter 11 in the book of Hebrews is known as the “Hall of Fame of Faith” for a reason. Example after example is given of faithful followers of God that believed in Him and the promises spoken unto them. They believed when it was uncomfortable and they believed when it didn’t make any logical sense…especially when it didn’t make any logical sense.

They believed though others around them did not. They believed though everything they saw and felt told them otherwise. They believed though it brought them to their knees to do so.

But they didn’t just believe…they acted in faith. They were obedient.

I’m always so amazed and humbled by Abraham’s strength of faith. And I do mean every bit of it…the endurance of it, the grittiness of it, the absolute wholeness of it. To leave everything he knew—all that was familiar—and venture out into the unknown. To believe in not only a son—but descendants in multitudes—in the season of life he found himself in.

There are just so many examples we could list of how Abraham (first Abram) loved and trusted in the Lord; of how he truly anchored his soul in Him.

But please do not draw incorrect conclusions; this was not a perfect man by any means. Nor were any of the others listed in this soul-gripping chapter. They were very real people that faced many of the same struggles, sins and temptations we do.

But in the midst of their humanness, they chose to believe. And that faith—coupled with their obedient faith steps—kept them squarely in the will of God. With their lives being immensely blessed because of it.

So what about us; what about our lives today? Is that kind of faith still required to embrace God's plan for us? Or has every blessed thing that’s happened since the Old Testament times somehow—namely Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross—made it easier for us to swing this life with half-hearted faith attempts?

Absolutely not.

Standing firm when we’re called to be still or walking expectantly when we’re called to go will not be any easier on our hearts than it was for those that came before us. It will still be uncomfortable and it will most definitely require an offering of ourselves that we aren’t sure we can muster. We can no more separate obedience from the proclamation of our faith now than Abraham could then.

What amazing news it is then that God is still just as faithful today!

We are essentially told in the second chapter of the book of James that our faith means nothing without the actions to prove it. I love the way “The Message” translates it: “that seamless unity of believing and doing”.

But God gave us free will, so this is all a choice. Believing is a choice. Living our lives in faith is a choice. Following Christ instead of the world is a choice.

This one is on us.

So here’s the deal: if we’re in the same place in our lives one year from now as we are today, it’s on us.

Nobody to blame; no excuse to name.

What gifts could we be stewarding more effectively? Which opportunities could we be more intentional with? Where are we wanting growth but needing more grit to see the fruit?

How is God calling us to step forward in faith that we’re resisting in fear? Are there seasons that we keep repeating because we refuse to surrender? In what ways are we believing more in ourselves—and being confined by our own limitations—than placing all of our trust in our unlimited, all powerful God?

Or is the gift of salvation Christ is offering still hanging out there, unanswered and unaccepted by you?

It looks a little different for each of us but God knows exactly where I am and right where you are. And sweetness, we can rest our hearts on this truth: He will meet us there.

But we have a choice to make today…what will it be?

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you that we have a choice; that you always present the greatest option ever…Yourself.

We pray today that the hearts of all reading this will be blessed. Help us come before you with outstretched hands and open hearts. Please guide us Lord and show us the next right steps to take. Give us a vision of the land you promise us and help us to walk forward in faith and obedience.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.