Faithful to Wait

Hebrews 11:8-10 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
 
GENESIS 11-25 narrates Abraham’s story. Hebrews divides Abraham’s faith life into three parts: his journey to a new land, his son Isaac’s birth and Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac. We’ll consider his journey to the new land first.
    God’s call on Abraham was a command and a promise: “Go to the land I will show you…all peoples of the earth will be blessed through you.” (from Genesis 12:1-3) Abraham, his wife Sarah and nephew Lot traveled with their many possessions about 1,000 miles to Canaan. There the LORD added this promise: Genesis 12:6 “To your offspring I will give this land.” Abraham’s faithful response was to build an altar and worship God. God’s command and promises became the foundation of Abraham’s life.
    Note that God did not say he would give the land to Abraham. Abraham had journeyed to this land to discover God required he still live as a nomad. He was as a stranger, at the mercy of his neighbors for pasture and water. Abraham could not see the future, so he had to wait on God, wondering “How, God?” and “When, God?”
    The wait was long and difficult. Genesis relates several conflicts – and even a brief war – between Abraham and neighboring kingdoms. Nearly 600 years would pass before Israel, Abraham’s inheritance, arrived to possess the land.
    In faith, Abraham did not go home. If Abraham were as many of us are – impatient and eager to see results – he might have said, “Enough! God’s not doing what he said he would. I’m going home.” Even in the difficulty of waiting and the temptations to turn from God, Abraham stayed. Abraham realized God is the one who builds the future. He has a plan for blessing the nations of the world. He will do so in his way and in his time. Faith is being sure of what hope for and confident in what we do not see.
    Hebrews’ author was urging the early church – and through the Spirit he is urging us – to remain faithful in the place God has put us. Hold tightly to God’s promises. Jesus said it this way: John 15:4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
    Where has God sent you? To a church, a neighborhood, a profession, a new city, a new country? He has given us a place to be to help others prepare for the inheritance of a heavenly city. The waiting will likely be difficult. Still, we must be faithful to listen and await the LORD God to complete his promises.