By Not Known
Is your faith being tested right now? Are you finding it hard to trust in God’s promises? Learn from Abraham so you may also pass the test that God has allowed you to experience (Gen 22).
After years of waiting for the promised son, Abraham finally has a son. But now, God is asking him to offer this son as a burnt offering. Without any question or bargaining, Abraham got up early the next morning. He prepared the things needed for the offering and together with Isaac and two servants, journeyed to the place where God had told him to go.
As Abraham approached his destination, he told his servants that he and Isaac will go worship and will come right back. As they walked, Isaac asked about the sheep for the burnt offering to which Abraham replied, “the Lord will provide.”
When they arrived at Mt Moriah, Abraham built an altar and laid Isaac on top. When he was about to offer Isaac, the angel of the Lord stopped him because Abraham obeyed God and did not withhold his only son. Abraham saw a ram caught in the bush and he sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of Isaac. With gratitude, Abraham called the place Jehovah Jireh which means “The Lord will provide (Gen 22).”
What can we learn from this?
First, keep your faith even though you may not understand God’s ways. “By faith Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him… even though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted. Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God would be able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead (Heb 11:17-19).”
Second, honour God and He will honour you. Burnt offering is a complete offering consumed by fire (Lev 1). Even though Isaac was everything to Abraham, God remained his priority.
Third, trust God and experience Jehovah Jireh in your direst need. As God had provided for Abraham, He will definitely provide for your every need.
Fourth, during difficult times, do the right thing and leave a godly legacy to those walking behind you.
So let me ask you again. Is your faith being tested right now? Are you finding it hard to trust in God’s promises? Learn from Abraham so you can also pass the test that God has allowed you to experience (Gen 22).