(Gen 21:2) For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
Do you remember as kids when we were on a road trip with the family, how we would drive our parents crazy with lots of questions? Things like where are we going and how long will it take to get there and what’s it going to be like? All the while they would tell us to settle down and just enjoy the ride. As the miles passed we would eventually figure things out and discover our parents knew what they were doing all along! That’s the way it is with the Lord and His will for our lives. We would like to know everything, but that would rob us of the faith we need to exercise, as well as the thrill of adventure. Let’s talk about progressive revelation.
When God calls you, He doesn’t tell you every detail about what lies ahead. As you are faithful in taking the first few steps, He will lead you into the next phase of things. (Luke 16:10) He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much . . . It’s always step by step with the Lord! (Rom 1:17) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
I think the prime example of the Biblical principle of progressive revelation is Abraham:
- Abram was 75 years old when he came to the land of Canaan (Gen 12:4).
-At 86 he became the father of Ishmael (see 16:16). God said that son was not the son of promise. The child would be born through Sarah.
-Then 13 more years passed without a son being born to Sarah.
-Finally, at 100 years old (and Sarah being 90) Isaac was born! (Gen 21:5)
Do you see how the will of God unfolded gradually for Abraham? God didn’t tell him the whole story. And he even stumbled along the way. But you must give him credit for being patient!
Like any good book or movie, the plot will have some surprises along the way that will keep you involved. And God’s plan for us will unfold beautifully as we learn to trust. God has always led me by stepping stones of faith. If I took the first step, the next one would eventually appear.
Instead of asking God, “Are we there yet?”, tell Him that He’s in control and that you’re good with it. We all have a lot to learn in this faith walk, and it takes awhile to get a hang of it. But just picture Abraham pushing a baby stroller at 100 years old and get excited about your future!
Louie