~By Debbie Christopher Right around the corner is an idiom that means happening soon or in the immediate vicinity or future (collins). Often, we use this phrase when we find ourselves excitedly anticipating an upcoming event that is finally drawing near. We may also find ourselves using it as we anxiously await answers or direction as we seek God's plan for a difficult or head-scratching --a bumpy-- circumstance.
Not too long ago, I thought of this phrase as I was reading from Genesis 22. In this chapter, we read the account of Abraham taking his son, Isaac, to Mt. Moriah...to be his sacrifice to God! I'm sure that even amidst his strong faith, Abraham must have thought that surely God had another plan...right around the corner. Maybe it was this faith that assured him of this fact.
As we skim through the first 14 verses of Genesis 22, we see several statements that hint to this strong faith. Our first hint can be found between verses 2-3. You're right, there is nothing between those two verses. God gave instructions, and the next day, Abraham woke up, packed up, and set out on this most unusual journey; thinking all along that God would make his plan more clear...right around the corner.
Secondly, in verse 5, Abraham told his servants to remain at the camp while he and Isaac went up to worship. As he concluded his instructions to them, he said, "WE will return soon." Abraham knew answers would come...right around the corner.
As Abraham and his son walked along, Isaac asked about the animal that would be used in the sacrifice. In verses 7-8, Abraham replied, "God Himself will provide the lamb." Even though the 'corner' was getting closer and closer, Abraham was confident that it was...right around the corner.
Finally, in verse 9, as Abraham had prepared Isaac for the sacrifice, he continued to rest in the fact that God's plan would, indeed, become clear...right around the corner. How do we respond when we have to wait until the last possible moment to reach...the corner? Wow!
Verses 11-12 begin with But God...two of my favorite words in Scripture. And, in verses 13-14, Abraham looked up and saw a ram in the thicket, and he named the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide. The answer is always...right around corner.
The Lord will provide...right around the corner.
This reminds me of a childhood fable by Arnold Lobel, entitled, 'The Corner'. It is part of Lobel's Frog and Toad series. In this story, Frog and Toad were out for a walk, and Toad was discouraged as he wondered when Spring would finally arrive--you know the feeling! Frog tried to encourage Toad that Spring was right around the corner. Toad questioned Frog's sentiment at each corner they rounded. But, as they turned the last corner…AH! There was Spring!
Are you trying to walk faithfully and trust that answers will be right around the corner? Keep walking...they are!
God's plan will make sense...right around the corner…
~Debbie
https://bible.com/bible/72/gen.22.1-14.HCSB
Lobel, Arnold. Frog and Toad All Year HarperCollins : Caedmon, 1985.
This post makes me think of Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." The Lord has an expected end for us. I always tell my class that the Lord has good planned for us, but He leaves it up to us whether or not we will join Him. Love the new perspective I get for this verse from what you shared--that good is right around the corner!
Yes, a neat example of faith!