Walking by Faith in the Unknown Situations
Walking by Faith in Unknown Situations
The concept of walking by faith in unknown situations is rooted in the biblical teaching that faith is not about having all the answers, but about trusting in God's sovereignty and provision despite uncertainty. The apostle Paul writes, "For we walk by faith, not by sight" [1]. This statement underscores the Christian understanding that life is a journey of trust, where believers rely on God's guidance and wisdom rather than solely on human understanding.
The biblical narrative provides several examples of individuals who walked by faith in unknown situations. Abraham, for instance, obeyed God's call to leave his homeland without knowing where he was going [5]. Similarly, Noah built an ark in response to God's warning, even though he had never seen rain before [2]. These examples illustrate that walking by faith involves acting on God's Word, even when the outcome is uncertain.
In the Reformed tradition, John Calvin emphasizes the importance of faith in navigating life's uncertainties. one tradition notes that believers must "hope in the Lord" and trust in His providence, even when faced with unknown circumstances [6]. This trust is not blind, but is grounded in the character and promises of God.
The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John Chrysostom, also highlights the role of faith in uncertain situations. Chrysostom encourages believers to cultivate a deep trust in God's goodness and wisdom, even when faced with challenges and unknowns [7].
Walking by faith in unknown situations requires a deepening relationship with God, characterized by prayer, obedience, and trust. As the one tradition notes, those who lack faith "walk back and forth in darkness" [4], while believers are called to walk in wisdom and redeem opportunities [3].
The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke, interprets Paul's statement on walking by faith as a call to live a life of openness and transparency, even in the face of uncertainty. Clarke notes that believers are "as unknown, and yet well known" [8], highlighting the tension between the world's perception of Christians and their true identity in Christ.
Sources
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 5:7 (Rotherham) — By faith, are we walking, not by sight;—”
- Hebrews “By faith, Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. -- Hebrews 11:7”
- Colossians “Colossians 4:5 (Darby) — Walk in wisdom towards those without, redeeming opportunities.”
- Psalms “They don’t know, neither do they understand. They walk back and forth in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken. -- Psalms 82:5”
- Hebrews “By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went. -- Hebrews 11:8”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 53.2: 64:7 66:24 Jeremiah 4:31 5:8 5:28 7:4 7:4 9:1 10:23 10:24 10:24 11:21 17:1 17:5 18:16 19:6 19:8 22:24 22:28 25:9 25:13 25:18 28:10 28:11 30:11 31:15 43:2 48:2 50:11 Lamentations 1:7 2:5 2:8 3:29 Ezekiel 15:3 16:26 20:11 20:24 20:25 26:2 26:14 37:1 43:15 43:15 47:11 Daniel 5:28 5:30 5:31 7:10 7:17 8:20 Hosea 1:7 6:4 8:14 9:6 13:3 Joel 1:13 2:13 2:23 2:28 Amos 1:3 3:6 4:1 4:1 5:10 5:19 8:11 Micah 1:3 1:11 2:11 7:9 7:16 Nahum 3:8 Habakkuk 2:1 2:1 2:1 2:2 3:2 3:2 3:13 Zechariah 9:14 13:4 14:3 Malachi 1:4 1:11 4:2 Matthew 2:14 3:12 3:12 3:12 3:12 ”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:26 2:10 2:18 2:21 2:21 2:24 2:24 2:24 3:5 3:6 3:11 3:16 3:16 3:16 3:19 3:19 4 4:2 4:6 4:7 4:7 4:7 4:9 4:9 4:10 4:10 4:10 4:11 4:14 6:3 6:3 6:9 9:5 9:20 9:22 11:8 11:31 12:3 12:7 12:7 14:14 15:12 15:13-14 18:3 18:3 18:3 18:7 18:17 18:19 18:27 18:33 21:12 22:3 22:18 25:33 27:27 27:41 27:45 28:12 28:20 29:23 30:1-2 31:7 31:15 31:40 32:10 32:21 32:28 32:29 33:19 37:18 39:1-20 40:23 41:40 41:42-43 42:21 45:5 45:5 45:9 45:24 48:16 49:7 60:8 Exodus 1:14 1:22 2:11 2:13 2:15 2:22 3:1 3:2 3:2 4:10 4:22 5:2 9:11 17:4 18:2”
- 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 6:9: As unknown - Persons who are to be suspected as harbouring dark designs; persons of neither birth, parentage, nor respectable connections in life; And yet well known - Proved by our whole conduct to have no such designs, and demonstrated to be holy, upright, and useful, by the whole train of our peregrinations, through which we can be readily traced from place to place; having preached openly, and done nothing in a corner. As dying - Through continual dangers, fatigues, and persecutions; And, behold, we live - We are preserved by the mighty power of God in the”