Wednesday 4 November, 2015

9 They reached the place God had shown Abraham. There Abraham built an altar. He arranged the wood on it. He tied up his son Isaac. Abraham placed him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand. He picked up the knife to kill his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven. He said, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” Abraham replied. 12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not harm him. Now I know that you would do anything for God. You have not held back from me your son, your only son.” 13 Abraham looked around. There in a bush he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram. He sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide. To this day people say, “It will be provided on the mountain of the Lord.”

It doesn’t matter how many times I read this passage, I am always both challenged and encouraged by the faith that Abraham demonstrates. I can’t imagine how he would have been feeling in that moment, but I am amazed by the obedience he shows towards God. He was willing to sacrifice his dearly loved son, in order to obey and please God.

That kind of faith really makes me look at my own faith – would I be willing to sacrifice my own child if God asked me to? It’s a hard question to consider, but this passage reminds me of God’s goodness and faithfulness. He wants to see that we fear Him and trust Him with all He has given us. As Abraham declared, God is our provider and we simply need to respond to Him in faith.

God, Thank You that You are faithful and constant. Please strengthen my faith in You today, and help me to trust You in all that You call me to.

In Jesus’ name.

Written by Laura Samperi