I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.
I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.
I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.
I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.
I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.
Ah…the thoughts of man. It is some slight comfort to know that Major Daniel Whittle had some of the same thoughts I’ve rolled around in my brain, 136 years ago. You know what I mean, right? Of course you do, the I know nots…I know not why…I know not how…I know not what…I know not when…
Guess who else did? Father Abraham! You see, God made a promise to him. What was that promise? That Abraham’s offspring would be as numerous as the stars.
“This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.”
Genesis 15:4
What was Abraham’s response to the covenant, to the promise?
Abraham believed the Lord and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Genesis 15:6
Did you see that? He didn’t miss a beat. Abraham didn’t know the why, the how, the what, the when. The only thing he did know was the promise. Look how Brother Paul recites it for us:
Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead – since he was about a hundred years old – and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith, and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he promised.
Romans 4:19-21
Oh sure, of course he had faith, we’re talking about the Big A here, Mr. Faithful. We can say we don’t have that kind of faith, we can talk about the I know nots…why, how, what, when? But I am so encouraged. You see, God used Abraham, just an ordinary man, he was far from perfect – remember that Sarah’s my sister thing? But I’m far from perfect too! Hey, you too! I love this verse. What sets Abraham apart is not his perfection, it’s his unwavering faith. You see, Abraham believed that God would do what He said He would do. He didn’t waver through unbelief regarding the promises of God. See what it says? He was strengthened in his faith. Abraham was fully persuaded, completely convinced that God had the power to do what He promised and that He would do what He promised.
Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we could ever dare to ask or hope.
Ephesians 3:20
He is able to accomplish anything! That’s the key. He is. Abraham believed the promise because of the promiser – God!
Here’s the zinger – Do I believe the promises He has made? Do you believe the promises He has made? Work that out in your mind.
Major Whittle did. Abraham did. Paul did. Countless other names in the Bible did.
But “I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.”