The Heroes of Faith (6)

The words of Hebrews 11:8-10 describe Abraham's journey here below. They say that by faith Abraham was obedient unto the Lord by leaving everything and trusting that the Lord had called him. Abraham lived in Ur of the Chaldees, which was a famous city at that time. Even though the city was outwardly rich and prosperous, it was a poor city, because the inhabitants missed the service of the only God and served idols. It was in this city that Abraham lived, raised his family, and earned his living. The Lord spoke unto him when he was seventy-five years old, thinking that he would always live in that country. The Lord had a message for Abraham, saying, “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee.” That was not easy for him. Just think how difficult it was. He would have to leave everything that was familiar unto him, everything that was dear to him. He would have to leave the place where he felt so secure. If the Lord had not given faith to believe in the promise, he would not have been able to leave his country. We might say that the Lord had taken everything away from him, including his home and business, and gave him a promise that he would not walk alone. The only thing that he received was a promise that there was an inheritance waiting for him. He did not need to know where it was, because he was able to walk by faith.

Abraham would be able to walk by faith, trusting the Lord only on a promise. When we say only on a promise, then we do not mean to minimize the promises that the Lord gives in the hearts of His people. Many of God's children have come through the most difficult times and circumstances in their lives with a promise that the Lord has given them. When my grandfather was dying, and he was young, his wife and children stood around his bed, weeping. He was just a poor man in this world, but he was rich in heaven. He was a factory worker who lived from paycheck to paycheck. He was not able to say to his wife, “Dear, there is some money in the account for you to draw a little interest on to pay some bills.” There was no money for the family. He was the breadwinner, and when he was gone, the money earner would be gone also. But as he was lying there, he received a promise from the Lord that He would take care of his family. Even though the breadwinner would be gone, the Lord would take care of his family. “Mother,” he said, “you don't need to be afraid, because the Lord has promised me that you will be taken care of, with your children, all the days of your life.” Later on, when the children grew up and got married, they spoke of the promise that their father received from the Lord. The Lord had proved to be the Fulfiller of that promise, because they never lacked anything.

We need the Lord to bless the external calling, so that we may receive an internal calling.

“Not knowing whither he went.” He did not know where the journey would end, but he trusted in God. He was not promised that there would be no trials or difficulties. No, he was not promised ease and comfort, but that the Lord would be with him. It probably was a continual struggle, day by day. One day he could believe and trust, and the next day he would say, “Oh, that I might see Him again. Oh, Lord, establish it in my heart again that it is of Thee. Help me so that I do not have to walk this way alone.”

Do you know what it is to walk with a promise in your heart, following the Lord? To leave our country, our kindred, and our father's house is a calling that comes to each of us.

We cannot die in our native country, no, because then we will go lost forever. We need another country. There must come a time that the Lord calls us out of the country where we serve and worship idols. How many years has the Lord been calling to you to leave the country and follow Him? He calls to you, saying, “Prepare thy house, for thou shalt die.” That is an external calling. What a privilege when the Lord may place you under the truth so that you can hear the external callings week after week. I know that the external calling is not conversion, but it does not come to us in vain. By the external calling, God comes unto us, saying that we need a new heart. The external calling is not conversion, but what have you done with it? Have you bowed before God with that external calling?

We need the Lord to bless the external calling, so that we may receive an internal calling. Just think about John Bunyan. When the Lord started in Christian's life, then he roamed about the city with a burden on his back. “Ah,” the people said, “he needs to go home and get some rest.” But, my friends, there was no rest for him here below. No, he needed the Lord to speak to his soul. There came a time when he could stay in that country no longer. He wandered about saying, “Lost, lost, lost.” He fled from his country, not knowing where to go. It was not easy, but it was God's way.

“For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” That city is the one Christ spoke about when He was here below. Christ said, “In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3). That city is founded in the unchangeable council of the Lord; it is His city. Everything here below will come to an end. The world that you see today is going to burn away one day. The devil, who goes round about today having a field day, will be locked away. Soon the devil will have nothing to say to God's children anymore, because they will be all gathered together in that city. All those who have been called out of Ur of the Chaldees and who have walked by faith will be there. All those who by grace have looked for that city, in spite of their millions of shortcomings, will be there. In that city all tears will be wiped away. God's children will no longer be strangers.

That city has been opened, not by us, or by the works of man, but in Jesus Christ. Therefore it is such a wonderful city, a city to be desired, because it is pure and holy. There Jesus is King, and all the inhabitants are washed in His blood. There all the inhabitants will be clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. To open that city, He gave His life and His blood. Here below He whispers to His people, saying, “You are not alone.” Sometimes the way is difficult for His people. All the flesh has to be cut away, because it is God's way, and it is His city to which they are traveling. God never promised that it would be an easy journey. He promises only that it is His journey and that the inheritance is waiting for them. Has His voice come to you? His voice came to Abraham, telling him to leave Ur of the Chaldees.

All of us want to go to heaven. Why? Because we are all desperately afraid of hell. But those who have heard His voice do not think so much about heaven in the first place. No, they think more about the God of heaven, because that is whom they have lost. They want the Lord back in their life; they want to know Him, love Him, and they want to be loved by Him.

Are you living by faith, as Abraham was? Abraham was not perfect. There were times in his life when he said to his wife, “You had better say that you are my sister, otherwise they might kill me.” Abraham, do you not believe the Lord and the promises that He has spoken? At times God's people cannot believe, and they need the Lord to strengthen them time and again.

My dear friends, are you traveling to that city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God? Or are you traveling to the city that is the devil's?

— to be continued —

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