Faith understands that things aren’t like they are supposed to be right now. But faith knows that the promise is going to be fulfilled. And it is that faith that carries us through the in-between.

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. —Hebrews 11:8 (NIV)

Why did God call Abraham?

In Genesis 12, we see more of the calling of Abraham.

What all did God promise Abraham?

Full obedience does not require full understanding.

All-too-often, we want to know before we go. But here we see that Abraham “went, even though he did not know.”

How have you let your lack of knowledge stop you from full obedience?

By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. —Hebrews 11:9 (NIV)

Abraham was promised the land, but he is living there as a stranger. What encouragement does that give you in your faith walk today?

And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. —Hebrews 11:11 (NIV)

Faith takes patience. How did Abraham and Sarah demonstrate patience?

Faith lives between the Present and the Promise.

God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. 18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. —Hebrews 6:17-19 (NLT)

How would you describe the relationship between faith and hope?

For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. —Hebrews 11:10 (NIV)

When God is your foundation… nothing in this life can shake you.
When God is your foundation… you can’t help but have hope.
When God is your foundation… you can see in faith the promise fulfilled.