Tried Faith

God has made promises to Abram.  

Abram wants an assurance of these promises.

God gives Abram instructions for a sacrifice.

Abram follows the instructions.

Nothing. Happens. 

(Genesis 15)

But Abram doesn’t abandon his sacrifice.  He trusts God that what He has commanded is for a purpose.  His faith is strong enough to wait.  His faith is strong enough to keep the birds  from hauling his sacrifice away.

God has given promises and assurances to those of us who are missionaries.

Matthew 28:18-20 “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Those of us who are missionaries have answered this call, have obeyed these commands, and are sometimes left metaphorically sitting beside our sacrifices, wondering why nothing is happening.  I wonder if Abram ever felt that God was mocking him.  If so, he doesn’t let on.  He guards his sacrifice and keeps the birds from consuming it.  I concur that Abram knew that this sacrifice had value. Primarily, it had value in the eyes of God.  Because Abram’s faith was firmly placed in God, his values were aligned with God’s values. 

How do you view the sacrifice you have made to be on the mission field?  It isn’t the exact same sacrifice asked from each us.  There are unique facets of each and every one of our individual sacrifices.  The comfort comes in knowing that God has a complete understanding of our situation and has requested only what is necessary, possible, and reasonable from each of us.  We honor God, when by faith, we willingly make whatever sacrifice He has requested.

I Corinthians 7:2 “Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.”

Now, for many of us, comes the waiting.  The watching. This is not a passive duty any more than the work of a sentry at his post.  At the end of his tour, he has nothing to show for it, other than that he stayed awake and alert to any possible threats.  We must stay alert and drive off the fowls of doubt, fear, frustration, worry, anger, impatience, and the rest of the vultures that fly in that flock.

Let’s go back to Abram. He did get to see the burning lamp of God accept his sacrifice.  Sometimes we hear that if your faith hasn’t led you to a place that makes you afraid, you aren’t walking by faith.  I’ve noticed in my life that my fear has been more a result of my unbelief – not my faith. Abram needed faith to overcome his impatience, the monotony of waiting and watching, the irritation of detractors, and the nagging doubts that must have been plaguing his mind.  

Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

We are promised a harvest in due season.  The definition of due season must by faith be left in the hands of God.  Ultimately, we will see the result of our faith in heaven. For some men of God, the fire of heaven is sent down in immediate splendor as in the experience of Elijah.  For others, there is an unspecified period of waiting between the time of sacrifice and the time that God sends His fire of acceptance.  Do we have the faith to wait?  Don’t try to force it.  Don’t metaphorically douse the pile with gasoline and strike a match.  

So to you, fellow missionary: what does your sacrifice look like right now?  Is your altar broken down?  Is your sacrifice what God requires? Do you value this sacrifice? Are you guarding it well?

Genesis 15:6 “And he (Abram) believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”

I Peter 1:7 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”