He Went Out, Not Knowing Whither He Went
True faith is trusting in God's guidance, even when we can't see the way ahead, and looking to Him for breakthrough and victory in the midst of uncertainty.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes the essence of true faith, illustrating it through the metaphor of a ship crossing the Atlantic without visible paths or shores. He explains that faith is not based on sight or reasoning but on trusting in God's guidance, much like a captain who navigates by the heavenly lights rather than earthly signs. Simpson encourages believers to step into uncertainty with confidence, knowing that God will illuminate their path even in the darkest times. He reassures that our moments of doubt can lead to divine breakthroughs, urging us to trust and move forward despite not knowing the destination.
Text
This is true faith. When we can see, it is not faith but reasoning. In crossing the Atlantic by ship, I observed this very principle of faith. We could see no path upon the water or sign of the shore. And yet day by day the helmsman was in a path as exactly as if he had been following a great chalk line upon the sea. And when we came within 20 miles of land he knew where we were as surely as if he had seen it all 3,000 miles ahead. How had we measured and marked our course? Day by day our captain had taken his instruments, and looking up to the sky had fixed his course by the sun. He was sailing by the heavenly lights, not the earthly lights.
So faith looks up and sails on, by God's great Sun, not seeing one shoreline or earthly lighthouse or path upon the way.
Often our steps seem to lead into utter uncertainty or even darkness and disaster. But He opens the way, making our midnight hours the very gates of day. Let us go forth this day, not knowing, yet trusting.
Sermon Outline
- The Principle of Faith
- Navigating Uncertainty
- The Power of Trusting God
- God opens the way in darkness
- Faith leads to breakthrough and victory
Key Quotes
“Faith looks up and sails on, by God's great Sun, not seeing one shoreline or earthly lighthouse or path upon the way.” — A.B. Simpson
“He opens the way, making our midnight hours the very gates of day.” — A.B. Simpson
“Let us go forth this day, not knowing, yet trusting.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- Look to God's guidance, not your own understanding, when facing uncertainty.
- Trust that God is working everything out for your good, even when the way ahead is unclear.
- Cultivate faith in your life by looking up to God's guidance and trusting in His sovereignty.