We see Abram can trust God when the path is unclear. God made a promise of land to Abram through a covenant. Genesis 15: 18 So the Lord made a covenant with Abram that day and said, “I have given this land to your descendants, all the way from the border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River—19 the land now occupied by the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 20 Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 21 Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites.” [1]
God listed ten different people groups who were occupying the land promised to Abram. It would seem impossible to displace these people to give the land to Abram’s descendants. God gave the boundaries of the Promised Land, from Egypt to the Euphrates River. While Israel has never completely possessed the area. God’s promise still gives hope to His followers.
A Trust Analogy
A tightrope walker took an empty chair and walked across a canyon on a suspended tightrope. When he reached the other side, he asked the spectators if they thought he could carry a person on the chair on the way back. The crowd enthusiastically said yes. Then, the tightrope walker offered to take anyone who wanted to go. He had no takers. The crowd was willing to watch the event but didn’t trust the tightrope walker enough to go across.
This can be an image of our faith in God. We are willing to say He can do anything, but then we don’t trust Him enough to “sit in the chair.” Granted, this analogy is not perfect. The tightrope walker was a fallible human being who took great risks. On the other hand, our God is the sovereign of the universe who is all-powerful. God’s faithfulness to His promises reminds us to remain steadfast in our faith. We can trust that He holds our future, even when the path seems unclear and fragile.
God’s Plan is Bigger Than Ours
God’s listing of lands that will be included in the Promised Land illustrates His extensive vision for Abram and his descendants. God’s plan is far greater than Abram could have envisioned. These verses reassure believers that God’s plans for us are not limited but are extensive and abundant. God’s covenant encompasses more than just physical territories; it also provides spiritual abundance in Christ. Paul explains this better than I can.
Ephesians 3: 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.[2]
It is the love of Christ that enables us to trust God when the path is unclear. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/faith-in-the-darkness
[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.