Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Will You Obey?

Abraham had watched Isaac grow. He had spent hours with him, strolling outside the camp. Showing him the stars and reminding him of how God had promised Abraham this son. "You are a promise from God, Isaac!" The little boy would look up into his father's eyes and see the love that he felt for his son.

Abraham knew how special Isaac was. Even in this, Isaac was still a boy and from time to time, Abraham had to discipline him. He never enjoyed this, but knew it to be necessary to form and shape the character of Isaac. Life was good as they traveled from place to place. A mother, Sarah, who doted on the boy, she too reflected the love of God as she knew that in Isaac was a living, breathing, physical proof of the promise of God. So that made what God asked of Abraham to shake the very foundation of his belief.

Genesis 22:2 -
"Take your son......your only son....yes, Isaac, whom you love so much.....and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will point out to you."

Can you imagine the feelings and thoughts that Abraham was experiencing after hearing God speak?
"But this is the son you promised me."

"Surely God did not really mean this."
"How can I do such a thing? Why would God require this of me?"
I guess the greatest testimony to faith is in the simple act of obedience in spite of what you may be thinking or feeling.
Faith does not require reason, but simply go and do.
That is exactly what Abraham did. And as we read about his journey to Mt. Moriah, we see an incredible statement of Abraham's faith. He knew Isaac was a promised son, but he also knew that God was sovereign.
If God had promised that blessing would come to all the earth through the line of Isaac, then it would happen.
It didn't matter if Abraham offered Isaac as a burnt sacrifice, God would work through this somehow.

Notice what verse 5 says:
"Stay here with the donkey," Abraham told the young men."The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then We will come right back."
Abraham didn't know how, but he trusted that God would either not let this take place, or, if it did, would resurrect Isaac because of His promise to Abraham.

I want to live like this.
To be able to trust God even when everything in me says not to.
To walk in obedience no matter what my mind may be telling me.
As II Corinthians 5:17 reads...."We walk by FAITH and not by sight."

God on you....
mb

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