At the age of 75, Abram’s whole life changed. That’s when God called. As he left his home for a land God would show him, the LORD promised, “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:2-3 ESV). Over the next few years, Abram saw a lot of that happen. He overcame powerful enemies and received great blessings (cf. Gen. 14:13-20). Yet, he had no children – and wasn’t getting any younger.
“After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: ‘Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’ But Abram said, ‘O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless…you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir’” (Gen. 15:1-3). This is it how it goes when we pursue God’s vision. Even as we see obvious indications of His presence and provision in our lives, we are still waiting on some of His promises to be fulfilled – perhaps even wondering how they ever could be fulfilled.
“And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: ‘This man shall not be your heir; for your very own son shall be your heir.’ And he brought him outside and said, ‘Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be’” (Gen. 15:4-5). When we find ourselves there – “somewhere in between the promise and the place it comes to pass” as Benjamin William Hastings sings – we need to hear God’s word and look up. Like Abram gazing into that night sky, we need reminded of God’s promises and then to actively look to Him to provide. When we are truly pursuing His vision, He will be the One to bring it about, putting us in a much different position. “And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness” (Gen. 15:6).
Now, even after receiving this blessed assurance, Abram would grow impatient and make a real mess of things. Yet, God considered his faith – his active, working loyalty –as being the same as if he were in a perfectly right relationship with Him (cf. Jam. 2:21-24). He offers us the same opportunity: “if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (Gal. 3:29). Over a period of two thousand years and through all manner of impossible circumstances, all God’s promises found their “Yes” in Jesus Christ (cf. 2 Cor. 1:20). If you are in Christ, believe God’s vision. When things are hard, talk to Him, hear His word, and look up. When it’s His vision, He will make it happen.
Learn how to know and to go where God is leading you through our series Be Thou My Vision.