Lessons of Faith

Many times in our life, we are troubled about what the future will bring. We become anxious to know what God has planned for us. As a young person, I remember myself and my friends wondering when we would be accepted to the right school or get the perfect job offer. We wondered when “Mr. Right” would come. It took much patience and trust in God to wait for the right person. Sometimes my friends would get very frustrated and depressed when they couldn’t meet anyone compatible. Some made the mistake of rushing into marriage, only to be remorseful in the end.
In the Bible, there were many devout people who made the error of being unable to wait for God to fulfill His promises. Because of apparent delay of God’s providence, people took matters into their own hands. But God has His own plan and timing in everything. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord” (Isa.55:8).
Abraham was promised a son and would be the father of many nations. Yet as Sarah was approaching 90 years old and still barren, Abraham and Sarah became anxious. Abraham tried to work out his own future by having a son with Hagar, Sarah’s handmaid. Abraham’s actions brought much discord in his home and finally, Hagar and her son had to leave the camp.
In the story of Jacob and Esau, Jacob knew that the cherished birthright would one day fall upon him. Yet he tried to take the matter in his own hands. He obtained the birthright by deceit. Instead of being joyous at the newly obtained birthright, Jacob was forced to flee his home and never see his beloved mother again.
Moses knew that God would one day deliver His people from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. Moses reasoned that it was God’s will to deliver His people by warfare. When Moses killed an Egyptian, he was was taking matters in his own hands, instead of waiting upon God. As a result, Moses also had to flee for his life.
Abraham, Jacob and Moses all tried to rely on their own human strength rather than wait upon the power of God to fullfil His promises. They had to learn hard lessons of faith, trust, longsuffering and paitence because of their actions. These Bible characters did learn to obey and trust God, and God blessed them abundantly in the end.
These stories are a lesson for us. God promises to lead and guide us in our future. Let us wait upon the Lord and He will bring about the greatest results. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is fathful that promised)” (Heb. 10:23). “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isa. 40:31).
Cynthia Ly Lan Nguyen