Philippians 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
This passage of scripture teaches us that we should be able to adjust to the different and changing circumstances of life as they unfold, for by so doing, we will be enabled to grow from one stage of development to the next, as the grace of God permits. The life of the Christian is a movement in forward motion, with challenges and hurdles along the way, which then call forth dormant energies and stern determination, elements which are of critical importance to the development of sterling character, and which have the tendency to broaden both our views and experiences of life. But to become stagnant for too long is never good, because getting stuck in a comfort zone generally tends to cause us to hate change, whenever and wherever it may occur.
When Abraham was called by God to leave his native homeland and his kindred, to go to a strange land, the Bible says that he obeyed, not knowing wither he went, but we should never conclude that this great movement by Abraham was not fraught with challenges, dangers, and hurdles of no ordinary character. And there were many valid questions and answers which he could have asked and required respectively, about the future, of which he then knew very little. As a general rule of thumb, as Christians we often desire to have a long detailed plan of action, stretching many years into the future, complete with assurances and guarantees, before we even think about moving at God's command.
But not so with faithful Abraham who immediately rented a u-haul truck, sold his home that he had finished paying for, and then bid farewell to friends and family, before hitting the 95 north, waiting on God to dictate when and where he should stop and set up camp, and even then, he was to move on to different places, so as not to become acclimatized to the ungodly culture and practices of the people, in whose land he now dwelt. Let's read:
Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
What is worthy of note is that not long after entering the land of Canaan, a very devastating drought and famine came upon the land, by which Abraham and his family were forced to go down to Egypt, where there was food and provision in abundance. But even here his faith was severely tested, for the king of Egypt sent and took Sarah to be his wife, after Abraham and Sarah had lied about their true relation to one another, much to the chagrin of Abraham. One has to wonder, that if God had revealed these circumstances to Abraham up front, whether he would then still be willing to step out in faith, but as the Bible teaches us in so many passages, the future must be left squarely in God's hands, and we as Christians should walk by faith, knowing that the various challenges and hurdles along the way are being orchestrated by God for our very best good.
Furthermore, we are only promised grace and strength for today, because tomorrow is not a guaranty, and therefore it makes no sense, and it changes nothing at all if we were to worry ourselves silly, thinking about the negative or positive prospects of the future, when God has already promised to be with us to the end of the age. Let us then walk by faith and not by sight, so that like faithful Abraham, we too may experience the fulfillment of God's promises as they unfold from day to day, and if we were to stay the course with Christ, we will find out for ourselves, that it is a good thing to trust in God.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to place our faith and trust in The Living God day by day, and He promises to give us the grace and strength sufficient for our needs, if we keep Him ever before our faces. Let's read:
Matthew 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!