Trust in God Even When You Do Not Understand

Note from today’s Bible reading: Hebrews 11

Among the heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11, Abraham was mentioned twice (Hebrews 11:8-10, 17-19). The second example listed by the Hebrew writer was when Abraham showed his willingness to sacrifice his son.

Notice the text: “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your descendants shall be called’” (Hebrews 11:17-18). It is amazing to think about a father being willing to do this. How could he have gone through with this?

The next verse explains Abraham’s reasoning: “He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead…” (Hebrews 11:19). While it was (and is) certainly true that God could raise someone from the dead, that was not what God planned to do in this case. Instead, Abraham was stopped and a ram was provided as a sacrifice instead (Genesis 22:9-14).

Abraham was willing to act by faith even though he did not understand what God’s plan was. Often we may be tempted to not do God’s will – or even to act contrary to His will – because we do not understand why He has instructed us to do something. Yet this example shows us that faith obeys God’s word even if we do not know why God gave the instruction.

So trust in God even when you do not understand. All we need to know is that His word is true and His way is always best. Let us simply resolve to obey the Lord no matter what He has instructed us to do.