In challenging times, I’m always inspired by the faith of Abraham.
Hebrews 11:8 (NKJV)
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.
Abraham was faithfully obedient to the call of God, walking in a direction with no clear destination in view. His genuine faith meant that he didn’t need clarity about where he was going; all his trust was in God, the One who was calling him.
Hebrews 11 goes further on to say:
Hebrews 11:10 (NKJV)
…for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
I believe the only way Abraham could confidently step into the unknown was because he was convinced he was simply passing through this life on his way to a heavenly country which was his true home. As a pilgrim here, he saw every earthly trial in light of eternal glory.
We all know that this life can be unpredictable. Who would have thought our 2020 would look like it has so far? At times, it can feel like we are walking through a very long, dark valley, as we endure the immediate and ongoing effects of a global pandemic.
Psalm 84:5-7 (NKJV)
Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
They make it a spring;
The rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength…
This passage tells me that with God’s help, we can make the valleys, like the one we are all experiencing now, into places of refreshment and hope. How we do that is by setting our gaze heavenward and teaching our hearts to consider our current trial through the filter of our eternal perspective.
As I focus on Him and life beyond the here and now, the life that’s more real to me than what I see, all the trouble that today may bring seems more surmountable and I am empowered with a renewed sense of strength.
Just like Abraham, we know we can confidently face all of our earthly todays, whatever they hold, because of the security and reality of our eternal tomorrow, in Jesus’ Name.