Genesis 12: 6-7 Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem.  At that time the Canaanites were in the land. The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land. So he built an altar there to the Lord who had appeared to him.”

Abram pulled up sticks and left home with his wife Sarah, his nephew Lot, his servants and all the possessions they had accumulated up to that point. They walked in the direction of Canaan. It must have seemed the most logical place to head to since their destination had not yet been identified by God. It was an act of faith for them. Stepping out represented an act of obedience and soon God broke in upon Abram with new information: “To your offspring I will give this land.” Now, wait just a minute. Abram doesn’t have any offspring … yet! And what about his immediate need for direction? Ah, but he just encountered the Eternal God, the Alpha and Omega, the one who knows the end from the beginning. Abram was wise enough to acknowledge that and so took the time to build an altar at that spot. That act would remind him of what God had said the next time he came face to face with doubt.

The Eternal God knows the way ahead and trusting him means listening for his voice and taking note of every promise along the way. This is so important because this is the way you will know you are on the right path even if circumstances seem contrary and out of your control.

A personal story will help to illustrate. My husband was ill for a long time and at a certain point I was required to go on a business trip but I was hesitant to leave him. My mother-in-law also became ill and I was afraid to tell her how sick her son really was because I thought this would kill her. The Holy Spirit spoke into my consciousness: “She will not mourn for her son.” I was astounded and very grateful. That revelation allowed me to know that as long as she was alive, my husband would be also. I did not share that information with anyone but I flew my sister in to be his caregiver for the week I would be away. I had complete peace for the duration of my mission. Sure enough, years later my mother-in-law passed away eighteen months before my husband. The Eternal God has the lives and future of his children in his hands. Trust him with the future and give thanks for every victory – build your altars!