Eyes of Faith

Everytime I read in Genesis, the story of Abraham's obedience to God regarding his son Isaac, I'm in awe. Abraham's faith is awe-inspiring but also seems crazy!

A simplified recap of the story: God wanted to ensure that Abraham would withhold nothing from Him, even His promised son Isaac. He told Abraham to take Isaac and offer him as a sacrifice to God. Abraham obeyed without hesitation, even telling his servant that he AND the boy would return. It's said that Abraham reasoned that God could raise Isaac from the dead. (Hebrews 11:19)

They gathered the wood for the offering. Abraham strapped Isaac on the altar, and was about to do the deed when God quickly stopped him! In the bushes was a tangled ram that Abraham used for the sacrifice upon God's command, instead of his son, Isaac. God provided a way but not until Abraham showed his full commitment to the ask. (oh, there's another blog in that statement...)

I'm not going to claim I have an ounce of that much faith or obedience and I'm thankful the loving God we know today wouldn't ask such a thing of me. What led me to this topic was something I read in the side note of my Bible. "Abraham doesn't know the details, but he has seen the happy ending through eyes of faith."

When I first read the statement above it landed so beautifully on my heart. Eyes of Faith! I thought it was an eloquent way to describe how we could walk through our own difficult situations; however, as I began to try and write about it, I started looking at it from a different lens. I was focusing more on the "happy ending" rather than on the "eyes of faith". How could I possibly claim a happy ending is available for those who have walked through unimaginable tragedy or loss? It seemed insensitive to just flippantly reference a statement that at first hit so lightly without fully measuring the impact that it might have on those wrestling with heartbreak, those who cannot imagine there is a happy ending in sight for them.

I've wrestled for hours over this. How do I share my thoughts on the statement above, because I think there is something there, while also sharing hope for a situation that may not end happily. I thought about ditching this piece altogether but something won't let me. (side note: I do have 24 drafts that have never made it past my screen;)

I think it best not to oversimplify it but to leave the statement in the context that it was used. I also think we need to be careful with the term "happy". God doesn't promise us happiness. He calls us to have joy. Happiness is often a fleeting feeling based on our circumstances, while joy comes from our intimate relationship with God.

Galatians 5:22 talks about the fruits of the spirit, one of these being joy. This joy is described as "a deep, abiding delight and inner gladness that comes from God's presence through the Holy Spirit".

Abraham did not experience the loss of Isaac. He also was able to claim the promise God made to him earlier, that he would be the father of a great nation with as many descendants as there are grains of sand or stars in the sky.

We too can claim the promises of God. He doesn't promise us a life free of heartbreak or tragedy. In fact, he says the exact opposite: "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." -John 16:33 (NLT)

He promises that He will draw near to the brokenhearted.

"The LORD hears His people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their trouble. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed." -Psalm 34:17-18 (NLT)

He goes on to say in verse 19, "The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time." -Psalm 34:19 (NLT)

Some tragedies, situations, and loss are beyond our control. They just happen. But what about the problems we bring on ourselves by the choices we make? Could we look at those through eyes of faith?

What would it look like if we could navigate through our difficult circumstances with eyes of faith? The ending might not be"happy" by our standards but maybe the outcome God allows is exactly what we need. I can reference several instances in my life where once all things had been revealed, I was glad I didn't get what I wanted, glad I didn't get what I prayed for. Can't you?

We don't know the outcome and might not even get the result we desire, but can we trust that God is working out all situations for our good? Romans 8:28 says we can.

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." -Romans 8:28 (NLT)

What if we walked through illness, divorce, financial struggles, difficult relationships, without doubting God's ability to heal, restore, provide, rescue? Instead of doubting, what if we simply expect and believe that the ending to our circumstance will be as God intended and for our good, claiming the promise of Romans 8:28.

I read in a devotional this morning, "The pursuit of victory begins with a conviction in our hearts. In the pursuit of victory, there is no place for doubt. The conviction in our hearts determines our response. When we know that God is on our side, we have the boldness to make faith filled requests, knowing with full confidence that God will work on our behalf." (Bible App: 21 Days of Fasting and Praying)

It doesn't declare that we can make a bold request and God will give us what we want. It says He will work on our behalf! That is the promise of Romans 8:28.

I would never assert that walking with eyes of faith will be easy and won't be painful. Quite the contrary, actually. It's through the pain that we learn the lessons and experience growth and maturity.

Walking with eyes of faith like Abraham means we trust that whatever the outcome, God will work everything out for our good. Navigating with eyes of faith looks like proclaiming His promises above in Psalm 34. He hears when we cry for help. He rescues us from trouble. He is close to the brokenhearted.

There are so many promises made to us by God that we can claim as we journey through our struggles. (listed below)

Nearly walking through a divorce several years back, I certainly bombarded the gates of Heaven begging for relief, for answers, for a new heart. Everyday I found myself in a state of desperation, shame, defeat, just wanting to be on the other side of it all. It was excruciatingly painful!

I didn't do a lot of things right in that season, but one thing I did do correctly, was aligning myself with the Lord. I didn't know what the ending would look like and I certainly didn't know to expect a happy ending but I knew if I would be obedient to the Lord, I would be ok.

I am in fact OK!

You may be walking through something today that you feel is swallowing you up. You may feel desperate, defeated, dead on the inside! Maybe you feel nothing at all...also a problem! Most times as we walk through troubles, we feel like we have to do it alone. We have to pretend that everything is ok, when beneath the surface we are absolutely crumbling!

I've been there, friend. Declare His outcome over your situation. He sees all things! Claim His promises below and try navigating with eyes of faith. Trust He hears your pleas and that He will rescue you. He did this for me and He will do it for you too! You only need to ask!

-Until next time...

"...Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you." -Isaiah 43: 1-2 (NLT)

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." -Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!"

-Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

"Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you." -Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)

"Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:7 (NLT)

"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." -Exodus 14:14 (NIV)