ABRAHAM’S AMAZING FAITH
After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. (Genesis 22:1-3,6-8 ESV)
Abraham’s faith not only astounds me, but humbles me. I can’t imagine being asked to sacrifice my son or daughter, and trusting God enough to set out with obedience to carry out this heart-wrenching request. It doesn’t seem fair! They had waited so long for a child, and this Isaac, was a long-awaited answer to their hearts deepest longing. I didn’t wait as long as Abraham and Sarah, but I did experience pregnancy loss twice, waiting for my first child. My heart hurts for them as they faced the seemingly impossible task. Being asked to take his life, after all the waiting and hoping and praying? So unbelievably hard! And yet God had a bigger test for Abraham, and it involved his faith.
What has God called you to, or asked from you that seems too hard? Some people are faced with cancer. Some have been forced into declaring bankruptcy. Some watch their children struggle with drugs. Some have walked through the fire of an unfaithful spouse. These are hard curves in the road where our faith will be tested. Had God asked my permission for my husband’s adultery, I doubt I would’ve raised my hand, willing to face the battle with determination and faith. However, He didn’t need my permission, He had a plan. Would I trust Him when my marriage fell apart? Would I turn to Him, or away from Him? Would I turn angry and bitter? Would I blame God for the misfortune of my situation? We are given an opportunity to return some of God’s faithfulness toward us, when we are faced with hard circumstances. We will find out more about Him when we walk in those valleys. We will find out more about ourselves when we are in the heat of the fire.
Has God witnessed your faithfulness when you’ve walked through trials? Have you leaned in closer to Him for strength, courage, and understanding? Every marriage will be tested in some way, so don’t doubt that yours won’t be. Like Abraham, I want a heart that has faith in God. He didn’t know how his son would be rescued, but He believed he would be. God made a promise to him earlier that reassured him on that mountaintop with his son, Isaac. God has made promises to us as well, and in those promises, we can take comfort. He promised never to leave us. He promises to be our Helper and Friend. Our God’s faithfulness is flawless. May our own lives and marriages reflect a pattern of faith as well- to our spouse, and our Lord.
*What are your natural responses to hard circumstances? Think of how you will face them, and how important our faith is when we faced with a difficult trial. Will you have faith like Abraham, that God will deliver you? Or will you be angry and turn from God?
Dear Heavenly Father, how we long to remain faithful- even in the hard times. It’s easy, when life is good, but we won’t learn and grow from “easy”. Help us to lean in to You, together, when we are called to something hard. Help us to trust You, even when it seems we face the impossible. We thank You for Your never-ending faithfulness. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen!