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The following blog is a summary of a message preached by Pastor Eddie Lawrence.

Watch the Sermon HERE!

As Christians, we sometimes find ourselves walking through life doing what we believe God wants us to do, yet things don't seem to be going the way we think they should. We can become confused when our circumstances don't align with our expectations of how God should work. This confusion is normal - there's so much about God that we still don't know and understand, and there are many things we'll never be able to adequately answer on this side of eternity.

What Does Scripture Say About Living by Faith?

Hebrews 11, known as the "hall of faith," provides us with powerful examples of people who lived by faith despite facing tremendous uncertainties. The chapter repeatedly uses the phrase "by faith" to describe how these biblical heroes trusted God even when they couldn't see the complete picture.

Abraham serves as a prime example. By faith, he obeyed when God called him to leave his homeland and go to a place he would receive as an inheritance. The remarkable thing is that "he went out, not knowing where he was going." Later, when God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice Isaac, Abraham was willing to obey because he concluded that God was able to raise Isaac from the dead if necessary.

Why Do Some Believers Die Without Seeing God's Promises Fulfilled?

Hebrews 11:13 tells us that many of these faithful people "died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off." Some of God's promises outlive us. There may be things God shows you that you'll never see completely fulfilled in your lifetime, but your obedience sets things in motion for future generations.

These believers "confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth." They understood that their ultimate home wasn't here, and they were willing to trust God's timing even when it extended beyond their earthly lives.

Three Things You May Face Without Knowing Why

1. You May Have to Go Not Knowing Where

Sometimes God will have you moving in a direction that makes no sense to you. Abraham exemplifies this perfectly - he received a word from God about the direction to head, along with promises of blessing, but he went out not knowing his destination.

Consider the story of Bruce Olson, a 19-year-old who felt called to missions in 1961. When mission boards rejected him for being too young, he left for South America with only $70. He eventually found himself in the jungles near the Venezuela-Colombia border, working with the violent Bari tribe. Through years of relationship-building, he was able to share Jesus with this unreached people group, transforming an entire tribe.

Sometimes you won't get steps two, three, and four from God - just step one. But when you take that first step in obedience, more revelation will be given. This requires radical obedience and an intimate relationship with God where you can hear His voice.

2. You May Have to Wait Not Knowing When

Waiting can be more difficult than moving. It takes faith to wait rather than trying to manipulate circumstances. When we're moving and God isn't, we create distance between ourselves and Him.

The people mentioned in Hebrews 11 saw God's promises in the distance and lived out their lives step by step, maintaining good testimonies before the Lord without obtaining the fullness of what they were seeing. Abraham waited for "the city whose builder and maker is God" - something that's still not completely fulfilled.

During seasons of waiting, remember that God is at work even when nothing seems to be moving. "He who waits on the Lord will renew his strength." Don't run ahead of God or refuse to move with Him. Bloom where you're planted until God gives you the green light.

3. You May Have to Suffer Not Knowing Why

This is perhaps the most difficult of the three. Scripture acknowledges that believers face fiery trials, persecution, and suffering. Some of the faithful mentioned in Hebrews 11 were tortured, stoned, imprisoned, and killed - yet they maintained their faith.

Sometimes you suffer even when you've done nothing wrong. Life isn't fair, and bad things can happen to good people. But in the midst of spiritual warfare and unexplained suffering, God remains good and trustworthy.

Many believers have stood at gravesides with unanswered questions, tears rolling down their faces, yet still lifting their hands and saying, "God, I trust You." This is the heart of faith - trusting God even when we don't understand.

How Do We Live With Unanswered Questions?

We must learn to live with unanswered questions and lay them at the feet of our unwavering God. Faith isn't about having all the answers - it's about trusting the One who does. Our faith should be in God Himself, not in our ability to understand His ways.

Remember that "the just shall live by faith." This means putting your faith and trust in God regardless of circumstances. We're called to walk by faith, wait in faith, war by faith, and worship in faith.

What's Our Ultimate Hope?

Despite all the uncertainties we face, believers have the assurance of eternal life. Our permanent address will be in a place where there's no more suffering, pain, sorrow, torment, devil, sin, curse, or even darkness. This hope sustains us through life's most difficult seasons.

God knows what we don't know. He can do what we can't do. And He'll still be here when everything else is gone. This is why He's worthy of our trust.

Life Application

This week, choose to trust God in the midst of your uncertainties. Whether you're facing an unclear direction, an indefinite waiting period, or unexplained suffering, remember that faith means "Forsaking All, I Trust Him."

Ask yourself these questions:

  • What area of my life am I trying to control instead of trusting God's leadership?
  • Where is God asking me to wait, and how can I wait in faith rather than anxiety?
  • What unanswered questions am I holding onto that I need to lay at God's feet?
  • How can I demonstrate trust in God's character even when I don't understand His ways?

Remember, God is faithful, loving, and good. He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. Even when you can't trace His hand, you can trust His heart. Choose to believe God and walk forward in faith, knowing that ultimately, for every believer, it's all going to be all right.