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. Hebrews 11:8
4.7 million Canadians, some 14 percent of the population, recently listed themselves as being of Scottish origin. That makes them the third largest ethnic group in the country. They arrived from Old Scotia at various times over a 200 year period, some seeking adventure, some seeking to escape persecution and starvation at home, and some following their family and friends. Many of them were victims of the Scottish clearances, known as Fuadach nan Gàidheal, or the ‘eviction of the Gael’. Rich landowners in the Highlands decided it would be easier and more profitable to evict all the small tenant farm families and turn the land over to grazing sheep. Many thousands of Scots were forced to go elsewhere to survive, and those who could do so booked passage on vessels taking them to North America. Most had little idea what their new homes would be like, but at least there was a hope that they could have a home and property of their own. Canada was calling them and they had no choice but to go. They were a little like Abraham as described in our text, with a future that they could not forsee.
Abraham had a choice. God called him, and he obeyed. God told him that he would be given a land for his inheritance, but Abraham did not know where the land was or what it would be like. Life was probably good in Ur where he was born; at least it was familiar and he had friends and relatives there. There was also family in Haran, where his father Terah had moved to when Abraham had his first call from God. But God called, and Abraham considered the offer, with all of its unknowns. And he went. His faith took him to where his eyes could not see, because it was God’s offer and he knew that God would do him nothing but good. If we had been with Abraham, would we have followed him to Canaan?
Abraham might have had many reasons not to respond to God’s call. But he had two reasons to go. One reason was that God called him. The other reason was the offer of an inheritance. We have the same two reasons today to obey God’s call for us to serve and follow Him wherever He will lead us. We are not asked to know or understand everything about God’s call. Abraham certainly didn’t. Like him, we are to step out in faith, knowing that if God calls us, He will lead us and bless us. God greatly blessed Abraham. He will bless us too.
Don’t worry if you don’t know where God is taking you in your service for Him. If you go in faith, He will take you to your rich inheritance. – Jim MacIntosh