September 25, 2023
But I Can’t See the Answer!
I serve an amazing God, who has never let me down. However, many times I live in worry and fear. I sometimes worry about my own situation but, more often, I’m worrying about my daughters and their families. II Corinthians 5:7 says, "For we walk by faith, not by sight." In other words, we need to still trust in God, even when we can't see the answer. But why is that so hard?
A few weeks ago, the man giving the call to worship at church talked about when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his own son (Genesis 22). As Abraham and Isaac were climbing Mount Moriah, Isaac said, "Behold the fire and the wood; but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Abraham answered in faith, "My son, God will provide himself a lamb." What amazing faith Abraham had! In Hebrews 11:19 it speaks of Abraham’s faith, "Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead." Abraham believed that even if his son died, God would raise him up.
Abraham couldn’t see the answer as he climbed Mount Moriah. He didn't see the answer as he tied up his beloved son and laid him on the wood. He didn't even see the answer as he raised the knife in obedience to God. I can imagine that he was sick to his stomach and had tears flowing down his face as he raised the knife over his son. But the God who is never late stopped Abraham at the last second and provided himself a lamb in Isaac's place. Abraham didn't see the answer until then, but he walked by faith, not by sight.
Recently I have been worried about one of my children, thinking that God wouldn't provide for the family. If I had the resources, I would have provided what they needed. But then they would depend on me and not on the Lord. I felt like I had been climbing Mount Moriah, hoping the answer would be there. I kept looking for the answer but couldn't see it. This morning things were desperate and there was no answer in sight. I felt like the knife was raised, but still no answer. A friend who knew the situation was praying for a miracle. To be honest, I doubted that God would work out a miracle. I finally had to leave it in God's hands, because I didn’t have an alternative.
I got a text a few hours later. God had worked out a miracle and had provided what was needed. I had cried earlier when I didn't think God would provide an answer. After He provided it, I cried because I was so grateful. I also cried because I had doubted Him.
I know that worry is a lack of faith. God doesn't want us to live in the land of worry and fear, but often that is where I am dwelling. I get upset with myself because I still doubt God after knowing Him for so many years. But God forgives even my lack of faith. I hope that someday I will have faith like Abraham. In the meantime there will be more trips up Mount Moriah, with God telling me to trust in Him, to walk by faith, not by sight. The God who is never late is waiting until the knife is raised to provide what I need. What an amazing God!
