Because Abraham Had Faith

BECAUSE ABRAHAM HAD FAITH HE LIVED AS A STRANGER IN THE PROMISED LAND. Hebrews 11.9.

Suppose you had a rich father. If he promised you something, it is natural that you would be waiting to receive it. If it were a very important thing in your life, like a car or a house, you will all the more be anxious to obtain it. If time goes by and the promise does not materialise, you will be disappointed. You will lose faith in the promise, even if it is from your father.

It was different with Abraham. God had promised him a land and a posterity. Abraham believed God. He left his father’s house trusting in God’s promise. He took his family with him on this faith journey. He went from place to place as the Lord led him through circumstances. Abraham was content to live in tents with his wife Sarah. It was always from one tent to another, all his life. He went through all the hardships of life but God was with him. There were times when God delivered Abraham from trouble. At other times, God preserved him through trials. God never left him and His promises never failed. God gave him the son He promised. The promised son, Isaac came after 25 years! He gave Abraham’s descendents the promised land. It took 450 years or so for his descendents to possess the land, Canaan. No wonder the apostle Paul tells about Abraham, “So then, he is the father of all who believe” (Rom 4.11).

A friend of mine was struck with a deadly cancer that was fast bringing his life to an end. He decided to claim the promises of God like Abraham! He purposely took the name “Abraham”. God preserved his life a few more years during which he testified to the faithfulness of God.

Dear believer, you need not change your name to Abraham but surely you need to have his faith every time you turn to God, claiming His promises. You must keep going forward in faith like Abraham, even if there are delays and there is no sight of any fulfillment. Abraham’s life reveals to us that God will always be true to his promises to His children, often during their life but at other times after their lives! Nothing is impossible with God.

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, my faith is weak. When answers to my prayers claiming Your promises are delayed, I doubt and become distressed. Lord, grant me an unwavering faith like that of Abraham’s. Amen.