“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Hebrews 11:8
When Abram lived in Ur of the Chaldees, his family, in particular his father, blended in with the culture of his day, as it was idolatrous. It was there that Abram began to be distinguished from the others in his family, and those around him. He “discovered” that there was only one God, and that He reveals Himself to those who will truly trust and obey him. So, what are the means by which God will work to bring this man to faith?
As we discover throughout Scripture, in God’s dealings with men, He chooses to reveal Himself to them at a certain time, and in a certain way, that the truth of His person, His attributes, and in particular, His faithfulness is seen. It was the Apostle Paul who wrote to the believers at Corinth, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 3:11) Here the Apostle is revealing what Abram experienced as God revealed Himself to him. Abram would discover just WHO this God was, and is, and that which He requires to bring him to faith. The foundational basis for faith is the truth, the true knowledge of who God is. This is why the appearing of the Lord Jesus communicated to Abram the great truths of God’s trustworthiness, for His attributes are absolute and unchanging.
In addition to the revelation of who He is, the Lord always calls the person receiving the truth to not only know it, but to act upon it. It has been said that the Christian walks on two feet, the one being surrender and the other, faith. It has also been declared that truth is not mine until it becomes me. The Lord is consistent in His methods in dealing with individuals in order to make them men and women of faith. He first reveals Himself in and through the word of truth, the word of God, and then He calls the individual to obey a command corresponding to the truths revealed. A good example of this is Christ’s words to Martha after Lazarus, her brother, had died. Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall live again.” (Jn. 11:25) Though Martha believed what Jesus said, she did not understand, nor anticipate the application of it. Jesus gave to Martha the knowledge of certain eternal truths concerning His person, power, and perspective. His call then to her was for her to believe. How does He work in her life to make her into the woman of faith that she is to become, even in the face of death?
In the case of Martha, He will take her beyond the knowledge of the truth concerning the resurrection. Martha confesses her faith, by telling the Lord Jesus, “…I know.” But then the Lord instructs that the stone over the mouth of the tomb be removed. Lazarus has been in the tomb for four days. Martha was shocked by what the Lord was asking. But this will not hinder the Lord in bringing her to faith, according to His words. He then asked her, “Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldst see the glory of God?” (Jn. 11:41) The God who waits to be gracious to those who would put their trust in Him, is also willing to reveal His glory to the individual. The great reward of believing, obeying, and waiting upon the Lord, is the revelation of His person to the heart by the Spirit. In this case, it would be the revelation also to the eyes of those who beheld the miracle of Lazarus being raside from the dead, and coming out of the tomb.
God is determined to make men and women of us, but we limit Him by puttimg conditions and limits on His working.
Dear Father, Show us Thy glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.