Digging Deeper: How Can I Know?
But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?”
Genesis 15:8 (CSB)
HOW CAN I KNOW?
Here, we find Abram, the father of faith, wrestling with a question that often plagues us all: How can I know? How can I know that the promises of God will come to pass in my life? It’s a question rooted in our human nature and in our desire for certainty in the midst of the uncertain.
God, in His infinite wisdom and love, doesn’t rebuke Abram for his question. Instead, He provides a tangible sign of His covenant faithfulness. He instructs Abram to bring specific animals for a sacrifice. Abram obeys, cutting them in two and arranging the halves opposite each other.
In those times, when a covenant was made, both parties would walk between the slain animals, symbolically showing that if either broke their side of the agreement, the offending party would suffer the same fate as the animals. Today, in a court, people place their hand on a Bible and swear their testimony is true.
Similarly, when the smoking pot and the flaming torch passed through the animals, God walked through for both of them, showing that the covenant was dependent on God alone.
When, like Abram, we ask God, “How can I know?” He responds the same way, swearing by Himself. In Isaiah 45, He says, “There is no other God but me, a righteous God and Savior, there is no one except me. Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth. For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn; truth has gone from my mouth, a word that will not be revoked …”
If we believe in God for salvation, can we not also trust His call to walk with Him in the new and unknown? He’s not asking us to have it all figured out. He does. He’s simply asking us, “Do you believe? Will you trust Me?” Friends, this is where the rubber meets the road in our faith walk. Our faith will only grow to the degree that we’re willing to follow. He has sworn by Himself to work all the events of our lives together for our good and His glory. Don’t miss the promised land simply because you don’t have all the answers to your questions.
Sarah Jefferson is married to Curtis and the mother to Grey, Sanders and Collins. She is a rare Atlanta native, currently living in Acworth. Sarah began her career in public relations in the sports industry. Now, she writes web content for a variety of companies and ministries. When she’s not writing or blogging, you can find her running or hiking the beautiful trails of north Georgia and spending time with her busy family.