Genesis 25:1-11 Trusting the Lord Though We Don’t See the Results

Abraham lived one hundred and seventy-five years, “And Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, and old man and satisfied with life” (Gen 25:8). Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave he had purchased for Sarah.

The Lord had made great promises to Abraham, but he died without seeing the ultimate fulfillment. Consider this statement about the people of faith in Hebrews 12, “And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from it they should not be made perfect” (Heb 11:39-40).

The Old Testament saints looked forward to the day the Messiah would come, but they died before His birth. Even so, they trusted in the Lord and believed that He would fulfill His promises.

This truth is highly instructive for you and me. We should never get discouraged when we do not see the final result. A person who plants an oak tree we may never sit under its shade. The soldier who gives his life on the battlefield never sees the peace that follows the conflict. One who shares the gospel we may not see the fruit that later appears.

The oak trees’ shade, the peace that follows war, and new life in Christ take place according to God’s plan rather than ours. We must never refuse to do things merely because the results are beyond our view.

We must learn to walk with the Lord and remain faithful even though we never see the results on this side of heaven. Some people become so concerned about the results that they sacrifice their faithfulness. The Lord does not want us to fall into that trap. He wants us to be faithful and leave the results up to Him.

“Faithful is He that calls you, and He will also bring it to pass” - 1 Thess 5:12