Abraham - 1) Waiting for the Promise
Hebrews 11:8-10 says, “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...with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
Abraham was 75 years old when he was called to leave
the comforts of his homeland to enter another (Genesis 12:1-4). He could
have ignored God’s call. He could have said, “I’m old and set in my
ways, so please leave me alone.” Yet, in so doing, he would have
disobeyed God. So, why did he obey?
Hebrews 11:8,9 mentions twice that “by faith” Abraham obeyed. Clearly,
the type of faith that saved Abraham was an obedient faith. A faith that
trusts. A faith that believes in God’s promises. A faith that is moved
to action.
Yet, why should Abraham believe God’s promises? In
reference to God’s promise, Hebrews 6:18 says, “...it is impossible for
God to lie.” God never makes a promise and breaks it. Look through the
Old Testament Scriptures and find one broken promise of God. There are
no empty promises in God’s Word. Every reward was given to those who met
the conditions. Every punishment was inflicted upon those breaking God’s
law.
Thus, by realizing the character of God, we can have a sure faith in
God’s promises. His promises will become a reality and His threats are
not idle. This truth is the very anchor and core of the faithful. Why
does one obey God in every particular of His Word? Why does one
sacrifice everything to obey the gospel call of God? Similar to Abraham,
it is because we believe the promises of God.
Abraham looked forward to a great land, nation and seed. He gave up
everything to inherit such a promise.
As Christians, we must give up the old life of sin, Satan’s territory.
We must be humbly aware that this world is passing away and will be
destroyed (1 John 2:17; 2 Peter 3:10). We must fill our lives with
spiritual treasures, rather than earthly (Matthew 6:19-21).
Like Abraham, we are waiting to inherit God’s city. Heaven awaits the
faithful, hell is prepared for the disobedient. Daily remind yourself:
“For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come”
(Hebrews 13:14) as you seek God’s promises.
October 2006