“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.” (Hebrews 11:1-2 NKJV)
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:8-10 NKJV)
“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.” (Hebrews 11:17-19 NKJV)
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV)
Abraham is given the unique position in scripture of being considered the “Father of Faith.” As a born again disciple of Jesus, I am considered a spiritual son of Abraham. All of the blessings of Abraham have been translated to me through Jesus. Just as Abraham was blessed without measure, spirit, soul, and body, so am I.
Abraham’s life was clearly marked by His willingness to obey without hesitation based on his great faith. He trusted the Lord to such a degree that He was willing to obey even when he couldn’t see or understand what he was being directed to do. He put his love for his Heavenly Father above his love for his earthly family and followed the Lord as He led him away from his natural father with no idea where he was going.
When Abraham was directed to sacrifice his son of promise Isaac, he once again chose to love and obey his Heavenly Father before his natural family. He modeled clearly the admonition that Jesus gave His disciples to forsake all, take up their cross, and follow him. He also modeled the promised reward of receiving back 100 times in this life plus eternal life.
Race Tips From Abraham:
- Follow the course, it will get you to the finish line even when you can’t see it
- The joy of the reward far surpasses the pain of the race
- I can trust my Coach even when His methods make no sense
- My Personal Trainer designed me specifically for the course on which He placed me.
Run the race of…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 180: “I will run a victorious “life-race” if I will learn the “life-lessons” of those witnesses who gave testimony of how to win the race.” Part 6: Abraham