Monday 24 June, 2019

15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” 19 Then Abraham returned to his servants, and they set off together for Beersheba. And Abraham stayed in Beersheba. 20 Some time later Abraham was told, “Milkah is also a mother; she has borne sons to your brother Nahor: 21 Uz the firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel (the father of Aram), 22 Kesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph and Bethuel.” 23 Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. Milkah bore these eight sons to Abraham’s brother Nahor. 24 His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also had sons: Tebah, Gaham, Tahash and Maakah.

God’s promise to Abraham was to bless him and give him a secure future yet in this passage we find Abraham being tested with the very thing God had promised: his son.

When I am tested with the promises God gives me – when circumstances seem opposite to how I think it will be fulfilled or when an opportunity presents itself for me to make sure I get what I’m after – how do I respond? By not withholding Isaac, we see Abraham fully trust the Father to provide and fulfil His promise. Abraham did not worry about missing out or losing.

Can I do the same? Which do I hold more tightly to – the promised result or my relationship with my Heavenly Father? Am I more interested in receiving things that secure my future or am I more interested in the one who holds my future?

Only the testing will reveal my heart.

Father, again I am reminded that You are for me and want to bless me. Help me not to be so focused on outcomes and promised results but more on You.

Written by Gab Martin