Uncertain Journey

In a devotion I read by Charles Stanley he wrote about how Abraham (from the old testament) had a great impact on Dr Stanley’s  spiritual walk.  He saw the necessity of living by faith.

Many of us have gone through the toils and angst of moving at some point in your life...  IN my life….and I know I am getting old…51 last week…..I have moved 15 times….which doesn’t include going to 2 colleges! 

Here is some of what Dr Stanley said

“God told Abraham he was going on a journey (Genesis 12:1-3) that would require leaving his country, his people, his father’s household.  Being obedient meant saying good bye to relationships and things dear to him.  The only family members who traveled with him were his wife and nephew; the life he knew in his homeland was left behind.  But this godly man did not hesitate.  His strong fait enabled him to say yes to what the Lord commanded.”

“Moving ahead in the midst of uncertainty can be another aspect of following the Lord.  Abraham was told to travel without knowing his destination.  Imagine trying to explain to friends and family that you are moving but have no idea where you are going. This lack of detail didn’t stop Abraham.  Unwavering  trust in his heavelny Father enabled him to answer the divine call wholeheartedly – even though specific details were lacking.  Abraham was spiritually ready to answer affirmatively when God called.”

“Following God requires faith, even when we don’t see how all the pieces fit together, but believing that God always works for our good and His glory and desiring to please our Father.”   [In Touch Daily Readings for Devoted Living, March 2017 Page 13]

(You can read Abrahams story in Genesis 12:1-9)

And while reading this it brought to mind someone else who completely trusted His Father even when He didn’t know how the pieces were going to fit….how it was all going to work out.

Jesus had gone into Jerusalem to cheers and shouts and hailing Him as King! 

When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!” Mark 11:7-10

He had had his last Passover meal with his closest followers and encouraged them to remember Him and what He was about to do, but I wonder if He knew details. He must have known enough…that his body would be broken and blood spilled. While they were eating,

"Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.”

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
 “This is my blood of the^[c] covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Mark 14:22-24

Jesus is God, but He was also man when He was here on earth. So I feel maybe He didn’t know all the details of His end journey. I know that if I had known all the details of what the plan was I would have done more than sweat blood, as He did!

 Maybe He knew He must die for all of our sins, but not sure if He knew the exact way, the suffering that would be before death, the nailing to the cross.  BUT He knew He must walk it and I believe He knew alone.

They had walked into the garden of Gethsemane, but at one point He told his disciples to “remain here and stay awake with Me" and then going on a little further he fell facedown in prayer. He had to go on alone and He HAD to talk to His Father.   And He said “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me.  But not as I will, but as You will.” Mark 14:36

He may not have known how all the pieces would fit together, but I can say with certainty that He knew what the outcome would be….His Father’s plan would come to pass.  God the father would be glorified!

Jesus knew that following the plan God had was what was going to be best for Him in the end, and best for us all in the end….right!?  because the plan did NOT include death…..but VICTORY over death!  

When Christ rose 3 days later…..and then after living among His disciples for 40 days …He was raised up to heaven to sit at the right hand of His Father!  What a glorious end story!

BUT THE BEST part of the story is….even if we don’t know how all the pieces of our lives are going to fit,  even if we are living in uncertainty …..we can KNOW we can trust God the Father with our end story…IF we have trusted Christ as our savior….then we know our end story is HEAVEN and eternal life with Christ and God the Father! AND it isn't really an end story....it is just the beginning!

My prayer is that you find hope in that…even if you live in uncertainty.  One step at a time, one day at time.

	When writing this it brought to mind a hymn.... Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His word; Just to rest upon His promise; Just to know, Thus saith the Lord.
	Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him, How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er, Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!   O for grace to trust Him more.
2	O how sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to trust His cleansing blood; Just in simple faith to plunge me, ’Neath the healing, cleansing flood.
3	Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus, Just from sin and self to cease; Just from Jesus simply taking Life, and rest, and joy, and peace.
4	I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend; And I know that Thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end.

Trust Him with all your pieces today!!