A delayed promotion, an unreached goal, a broken relationship are some of life’s inexplicable turns.  Many of the saints mentioned in Hebrews 11 knew firsthand about life’s unknowns.  Many others also had the opportunity to witness God’s hand at work as He rolled back the waters of the Red Sea, defeated enemy armies and proved faithful when times of trial and tribulation struck.  The test of faith is not merely in trusting, but in trusting God when all hope has disappeared.  One way that God tests our faith is by allowing life’s unknowns to invade our lives. 

Samuel anointed David as King over Israel.  Yet nothing was mentioned about having to wait years before he sat on Israel’s throne.  Thanks to life’s unknowns, David was forced to leave his family and friends and live like a common criminal on the run from a jealous and mentally impaired king.  At any point he could have proclaimed his frustration, but David went beyond bitterness and self-pity to claim the goodness of God.  He realized God’s ways were not the ways of people. 

All of life’s unknowns are perfectly within God’s sovereign control.  If He has given you a promise, cling to it.  He will do exactly what He has said He will do. God will give you more in the coming months, so don’t give up because of the obstacles you may be facing today.  

Meditate on the following verses and have a wonderful and spirit-filled day.

Hebrews 11:4-14

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

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. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude--innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. (NKJV)