Tom Barnard

“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.”

(Hebrews 11:8 NLT)

“Faith is not knowledge of a moral process; it is fidelity in a moral act.

Faith leaves something to the Lord; it obeys his immediate commandment

and leaves to Him direction and destiny.”

John Henry Jowett

Abraham didn’t have a lot of things going for him, from a spiritual perspective. He had no written word of God to guide him like modern-day “Abrahams” have. He had the spoken word of God, but God was as unseen to him as he is to us today. He had no spiritual mentors to offer advice. God led Abraham out of his home country and into a land about which he knew absolutely nothing. And God tested him in several critical ways—even to the point of asking him to be willing to sacrifice his son. Abraham did not fail in the things that really mattered. He was led by faith, not by sight. Blind faith was high on his list. History has honored him as the Father of the Faithful.

Should we have any reason to believe that we deserve to have it any easier than Abraham did? Not according to the Bible I read. Jesus said, “If any of you want to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me.”  (Matthew 16:24) Check out these words from Edgar Stites, music by Ira Sankey:

Simply trusting every day, Trusting thru a stormy way;

Even when my faith is small, Trusting Jesus—that is all.

Brightly does His Spirit shine—Into this poor heart of mine;

While he leads I cannot fall, Trusting Jesus—that is all.

Singing if my way is clear, Praying if the path be drear;

If in danger, for him call, Trusting Jesus—that is all.

Trusting as the moments fly, Trusting as the days go by;

Trusting Him whate’er befall, Trusting Jesus—that is all.

Heavenly Father, I’m nothing like Abraham. But in some small way I would like to be. I would like to respond quickly to your voice when I hear it in my spirit. I would like to have so much faith that when others examine my life, they will give praise to you. I thank you that when I fall into a dangerous place, all I need to do is call upon your Name, and you will be there—just like you promised. Lift my eyes so I can see you at work in my life. I want to be your follower; help me to pay the price to do that. In the strong Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.