January 2, 2012

SCRIPTURE
Hebrews 11:8 - 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.

OBSERVATION
Assumed to be written by either Barnabas or Apollos, both Jews converted to Christianity, to a group of Christian converts who may have been trying to Judaicize the Gospel of Christ.  The writer consistently appeals to Jewish tradition to illustrate the sovereignty of God in Jesus.  This passage takes the example of Abraham leaving his homeland to go to the promised land, even though he had no idea where he was going.  What a scary thought, in those times - you are not just leaving a house, you're leaving any crops you had to sustain your family, you are leaving the area where you know where the water sources are, where the dangers lie, where the refuges are.  Going to a place that may hold hostile natives, that may be unfarmable and unable to support the livestock you bring along.  To obey under those circumstances took faith indeed.  The example still applies today.  As Oswald Chambers states in My Utmost for His Highest, "God does not tell you what He is going to do; he reveals to you who He is." 

APPLICATION
Each day, as we walk out the door, we should do so under the understanding that we do not know where we are going.  Obviously, we have some destination in mind, but we really don't know what God is going to do with our day.  The surroundings could be mundane, but the people we meet are not, and God alone knows what He is bringing to the table each day.  Crisis or blessing?  Either is an opportunity to glorify God, if we obey and go where He leads us.

PRAYER
Father, grant me humility in obedience.  Remind me that my destinations are not yours, my plans are nothing compared to yours; make my path straight so that I follow you wherever you lead.  Give me courage to continue on the road when I can't see what lies ahead. In Jesus' name - Amen.

About the book of Hebrews:
http://www.biblica.com/niv/study-bible/hebrews/