0935. Abraham, or the Faith That Sees the Land and the City
Abraham, or the Faith That Sees the Land and the City
"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
"By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
"For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Heb_11:8-10)
Abraham had a far vision given to him and he believed God and went out. God spoke to Abraham about things to come. He made His covenant and sealed it with His servant. He told Abraham to lift up his eyes and look northward, southward, eastward, and westward "for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever" (Gen_13:15).
Then Abraham removed his tent. He went out. He believed God. He looked for an inheritance and for a city. He died not having received the promise, but he saw it afar off. He knew that God would make good every word He promised.
Why should men today doubt that Israel shall be restored to the land? Not a foot of land that Abraham's eye caught that day shall be left out. His seed shall possess their inheritance.
Why should men doubt that Christ's city, the earthly Jerusalem, and that God's other city, the New Jerusalem should come? Abraham believed God and looked for a city; shall we then disbelieve? We have a far fuller revelation of both cities than was vouchsafed to Abraham. Let us not be unbelieving.
One thing is certain, that if we do disbelieve God we cannot please Him. Faith is giving substance to the things hoped for; it is a sure conviction concerning things not seen. Faith acts as though it possessed the things to be possessed. Faith counts a promise of God as good as already provided. Faith places the same credence in God's prophecies that sight places in history. Why not? When God hath spoken, who can disannul it? Cannot God foretell history thousands of years in advance, more accurately than man can record it the day following its occurrence?
The faith that accepts the unseen as seen, the thing prophesied as though fulfilled, is not irrational when faith's confidence is placed on the plain and positive promises of a God with Whom there is no variableness neither shadow of turning. As long as God is able to perform His promises, faith can safely trust Him.
The faith of Abraham portrayed
A far-flung vision. He obeyed,
And left his fatherland, to view
Another country, and He knew
That in the distant years, his seed
From bondage and from Gentile freed,
Forgiven and restored, would stand,
Inheriting the promised land.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR