The angel said, “Don’t kill your son or hurt him in any way. Now I can see that you trust God and that you have not kept your son, your only son, from me.”
Genesis 22:12 (NCV)
Have you ever heard the saying, “actions speak louder than words?”. Today we see that quotation being put to the test.
Yesterday we ended with the statement that faith never quibbles at God’s demands, even though these demands sometimes go against reason. But what is faith? No greater definition of faith has ever been given than contained in the simple acrostic: Forsaking All I Trust Him
Today as we look at the most challenging aspect of Abraham’s life, that acrostic is put to the ultimate test.
Encouragement
Impossible became the possible. We have already discovered that Abraham had been given a son when the impossible became the possible. Can you keep these words in your hearts and minds? Time, time and time again God had revealed and interceded in Abraham’s life and time and time again HE will for you too.
That said, God at times wants to know if we really do trust Him. Verse 1 in Genesis chapter 22 says: “After these things God tested Abraham’s faith. Issac, Abraham’s son, is now a young man when God asks something of Abraham”
Encouragement
God tests for a reason, to make us stronger and build our relationship with Him.
I want you to notice something, God told Abraham: –
- Where to go – Mount Moriah
- What to do – sacrifice your son
- When to do it – three days from the request
Yet the one question I would have asked is WHY? God does not say and Abraham does not ask.
Encouragement
Abraham had learnt Forsaking All I Trust Him.
Therefore that question was now not an issue. The more you and I put that statement into place in our hearts, the more our issues will begin to disappear.
How do I know what I have just said is true? Well as Abraham begins to climb the mountain he makes this outstanding statement. Look at verse 5 – He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey. My son and I will go over there and worship, and then we will come back to you.” Abraham, I thought you were told to sacrifice Issac so how can you say we will come back? You mean you will come back? No says Abraham we will come back. This is the faith that now lives in Abraham. Abraham believes even if Issac is sacrificed, God can turn the impossible into the possible again.
So Abraham climbs the mountain and just as Abraham raises his hands, God speaks “Don’t kill your son or hurt him in any way. Now I can see that you trust God and that you have not kept your son, your only son, from me.” Genesis 22:12 (NCV)
Encouragement
At the right time, God intervenes and He will in your life too. You may be at a cliff’s edge hanging on by your fingertips, but He will not let you drop over the cliff.
God at the right time sent Jesus. Jesus has become our sacrifice. God told Jesus
- Where to go – Mount Calvary
- What to do – sacrifice Himself
- When to do it – at the age of thirty-three
This Time God told Jesus Why to do it- so you and I might have that amazing relationship with God. As Jesus said I am the Way the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through Jesus so Jesus like Abraham obeyed His Father because Jesus also trusted in God.
We are all going through these different times, and at the moment we are hearing for the UK mostly about economical crisis (35%) fall about to hit us. You may have your own personal issues on top of that, but let me ask you to do as Abraham did Forsaking All I Trust Him by doing exactly as He asks when we simply do not know why
Encouragement
When we were unable to help ourselves, at the right time, Christ died for us, although we were living against God. Very few people will die to save the life of someone else. Although perhaps for a good person someone might possibly die. But God shows his great love for us in this way:
Christ died for us while we were still sinners.
Romans 5:6-8 (NCV)