Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
17 “It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when GOD was testing him. Abraham, who had received GOD’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, 18 though GOD had promised him, ‘Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.’ 19 Abraham assumed that if Isaac died, GOD was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.” ~ Hebrews 11:17-19
Abraham was willing to give up his son when GOD commanded him to do so. – 1 “Later on GOD tested Abraham’s faith and obedience. ‘Abraham!’ GOD called. ‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘Here I am.’ 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.’ – Genesis 22:1-2 – GOD tested Abraham, not to trip him and watch him fall, but to deepen his capacity to obey HIM and thus to develop his character. Just as fire refines ore to extract precious metals, GOD refines us through difficult circumstances. When we are tested, we can complain, or we can try to see how GOD is stretching us to develop our character.
GOD did not let Abraham take Isaac’s life, because GOD had given the command in order to test Abraham’s faith. Instead of taking Abraham’s son, GOD gave Abraham a whole nation of descendants through Isaac. If you are afraid to trust GOD with the possession(s), dream(s), or person/people you treasure most, pay attention to Abraham’s example. Because Abraham was wiling to give up everything for GOD, he received back more than he could have imagined. What we receive, however, is not always immediate or in the form of material possessions. Material things should be among the least satisfying of rewards. Our best and greatest rewards await us in eternity.
LORD, just as fire refines ore to extract precious metals, YOU refine us through difficult circumstances. Help us Father, when we are tested, not to complain but to see how YOU are stretching us to develop our character. Father GOD, we know that YOU know what is best for us, our life, and our families. Help us dear GOD to trust YOU with our possessions and dreams, but most of all with the people we love the most. We know that if we are willing to give up everything for YOU LORD, we will receive back more than we could imagine.
Photo: Diana’s Bath (New Hampshire)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
