August 21, 2008 - Acts 7:5

“’He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no child.’” Acts 7:5.
Stephen, speaking of the great father of Judaism, Abraham, recounts the irony of Abraham’s situation in life. Even though he had not even one foot of land in his possession, God promised Abraham that he would possess the land. And even though he had no children and he was advancing in age, God promised Abraham that he would have descendants, who would possess the land after him. It is important to remember that Abraham grew up in a culture that was basically poly-theistic, or had many gods, and that humans in those cultures did not necessarily hear from any one of them directly. Abraham received a vision from God, which required him to move counter to the culture around him. He sought a land that God was directing him to and was looking to be the father of many descendants when he could not even have one child. This required an amazing amount of faith to keep him moving forward toward that vision.
I love to hike, and when I am on a longer one, sometimes there are wonderful views – vistas that give me a sense of being part of something much grander than my small existence. Yet much of the time, when I am hiking, I am down in the trees, moving along the path. Sometimes, it seems as though the trail is never going to end and I am just trudging along, wondering how I am ever going to make it. Then one of those rare moments comes, and a beautiful, panoramic vista comes into view. Our journey in life is much like this. Those “vistas”, or visions from God, are what keep us on the path; on the journey of our lives. Abraham had his vistas, and they kept him focused forward, even through the lean times – down in the trees.
Questions to consider: What is the vision that God has given you that keeps you moving forward? Are you seeing the “vistas” or are you down in the trees, trudging along? Can you take some time today to remember the vision(s) that God has given you?
Prayer: Father, thank You for the visions that You give each of us. Thank You for Abraham’s example of faithfulness to the vision that You gave him. Help me to remember the vision You have given me in order to be encouraged as I journey on the path of life. Amen.