8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
Hebrews 11:8
Often times when you are acting in faith, you overlook what seems to be demotion because you know promotion lies ahead. Abraham was his father’s first son and his father was very wealthy. He was going to inherit everything his father had. Then Abraham heard God in his heart saying, “Get up and go.” He would have asked, “Where Lord?” Rather, Abraham forsook everything that he had in his father. He left everything and he went to a place that he didn’t know. That’s faith.
Faith is something I started learning many years ago. I was taught by Pastor Charles, how Joseph in the Bible changed coats throughout his life. First, he had a multicoloured coat of his father’s love; then his brothers took that coat and threw him into the pit. Then Potiphar gave him a coat of human achievement, but his seductive wife tore that coat off from Joseph’s body.
For keeping to his principles and standing in integrity, he was falsely accused and sent to prison. Then God made a way for him and he received a coat of divine revelation and wisdom from Pharaoh. When you take off one coat, you are naked for a while, but that period does not define you. In a little while, your bigger, better coat comes. If you need to take off that bigger, better coat, you are naked again for a while. Anyone who sees you before the next coat comes, may think you have been demoted. Faith doesn’t have to prove anything to anybody. If it is faith, there is always promotion around the corner.
Friend, what are you ready to give up for what you believe: a relationship, a precious possession, your savings account? Ask God to show you and commit to it when He does. You will attract in hundredfold that which you are willing to walk away from.
Confession:
Lord, speak to my heart by Your Spirit and by Your Word. Open the eyes of my understanding to always see what lies ahead and not limit my life to my present achievements. I declare by faith that there is nothing I cannot give up for the glorious destiny You have mapped out for me.