One of the most remarkable traits of Abraham was his faithfulness to God while being uninformed. So often we are willing to obey God if we know why we are doing certain things. We will do what God says if we understand why. But what about the times we don’t have the understanding and knowledge of what He has asked?
Consider the faith of Abraham. God says, “Go. Leave your family. I’ll tell you when you’ve gotten to the place you are going.” Abraham says, “Okay” (Genesis 12:1-7). Abraham is told his seed would bless the entire world. For many years (until he has Ishmael by Hagar) Abraham moves forward with life trusting in God. Abraham finally has a son, Isaac, and is told, “Take Isaac with you to offer him as a sacrifice to me. I’ll tell you when you’ve come to the right mountain.” Abraham’s response? “Okay” (Genesis 22:1-6).
Can you imagine taking your heir, the son you have waited so long to have, and offering him as a sacrifice? That’s faith. How did Abraham do that? What was it about Abraham that caused Him to trust in God so much that He would obey—even when he didn’t know what was going to ultimately happen? The answer is found in Genesis 22. Isaac asks his father, “Where is the lamb?” Abraham answers, “God will provide” (Genesis 22:7-8). How could Abraham obey God in these circumstances? Because he understood that God would always provide.
No matter what, Abraham was always blessed by God. Even when Abraham made horrible decisions, God continued to provide for him. In Genesis 12, Abraham and Sarah deceive Pharaoh saying that she is his sister. God’s providence is seen as he protects the union of Abraham and Sarah and ensures their safe departure from Egypt. In Genesis 16, Abraham has a son by Hagar and God provides for the son, Ishmael. In Genesis 20, Abraham and Sarah deceive Abimelech in the same way they had Pharaoh. God not only protects the union of Abraham and Sarah but also provided more livestock and a place to dwell through Abimelech. Abraham had seen God’s providence. He knew God would take care of him.
What did Abraham mean when he said, “God will provide…”? Did he know there would be a ram caught in the thicket on the top of the mountain? If so, why did he bind the hands and feet of his son and raise the knife to slaughter him (Genesis 22:9-10)? I am convinced that even as Abraham raised that knife he didn’t understand the providence of God but he trusted it. He knew that somehow God would provide. All of the trials and temptations suffered by Abraham and his family prior to this event had trained Abraham to know one thing: God will provide.
Uncertainty cripples us. We don’t like moving forward in genuine faith. Real faith is assured of what we don’t know and can’t see (Hebrews 11:1). We want to know and see before we act. It’s similar to the young man in high school. He doesn’t mind asking a girl out if he knows she’ll say, “Yes.” But asking a girl out without having that assurance from her friends is too much of a risk. It requires too much faith.
Why didn’t you talk to your neighbor about Christ? Because you aren’t sure how they’ll react. It takes too much faith. Why don’t you talk to the brother in Christ who is acting in ways that concern you? You don’t know what they’ll do in response. It takes too much faith. Why don’t we tell our children “no” and raise them in the training of the Lord? We’re afraid they might be so angered that our relationship is forever damaged. It takes too much faith.
When we face difficult challenges such as these in life shouldn’t our response be, “The Lord will provide”? We need to have faith that trusts in the providence of God to see us through. God will help us in our efforts to save the lost. He’ll provide. He will help us in our attempts to bear the burdens of our brothers and sisters. He’ll provide. He will assist us in the training of our children when it is done in the proper spirit. He’ll provide.
Friends, cast off the doubt. Lay aside the problems of uncertainty. Step out in faith. Live with the understanding that “God will provide.” Follow the example of Abraham.
