Have you ever seen two kids playing in a room full of toys where one child is actually the owner of the room and toys, and the other child is a guest? You watch as the children play with various toys and how the owner is doing a good job allowing the guest to play. But then you see it. There is one prized possession that the owner will not give up. The child is willing to let the guest play with any toy in the room, but not that toy. To the owner, that toy is “special” or that toy is “mine!”!
If you have read the Old Testament, then you probably have heard the story of Abraham and Sarah. They were obedient to God even when it didn’t make sense. They left their native country when God told them to move to a foreign land. God blessed Abraham with much wealth and many victories. The Lord spoke to Abraham in a vision and told him that he would be protected and his reward would be great. Abraham thanked God, but basically asked what good it would be that he would receive blessings that would be passed down to generations when he didn’t even have a child. They lived many years and longed for a child, but could not conceive. And so, God heard their plea and promised them a son even when Sarah was beyond the age to conceive a child.
We can only imagine how special and important this child was to Abraham and Sarah. They had prayed for many years and when the prayer was finally answered, I am sure they did not take that lightly. As a mom, I imagine Sarah had Isaac wrapped up in bubble wrap trying to protect this miracle God had granted her. If they were anything like modern parents, I am sure that they felt a strong call to protect Isaac. They had longed for this child and so they were not going to allow anything to happen to him.
In Genesis 22, God tested Abraham’s faith by commanding him to take his only son Isaac as a sacrifice.
“‘Some time later, God tested Abrahma’s faith. ‘Abraham!’ God called. ‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘Here I am.’ ‘Take your son, your only son–yes, Isaac, whom you love so much–and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.’” Genesis 22:1-2
I am curious if Abraham even shared this information with Sarah. Abraham obediently followed through with the plan. He collected all the supplies and he and Isaac headed up the mountain.
“When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. At that moment the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham!’ ‘Yes,’ Abraham replied, ‘Here I am!’ ‘Don’t lay a hand on the boy!’ the angel said. ‘Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.’” Genesis 22:9-12
Just as he was about to sacrifice his only son, God spoke to him. God was testing Abraham, not to trip him up and watch him fall, but to deepen his capacity to obey God and to develop his character. God did not want Isaac to die, but He wanted Abraham to be willing to sacrifice Isaac in his heart so it would be clear that Abraham loved God in the deepest way and would not withhold anything from him.
What are you withholding from God? Is there anything or any person that you would not be willing to put behind God’s will and obedience? We can act like obedient Christians and claim to be following God, but if we have a stronghold in our lives, then we are not truly putting God first. Are you truly willing to withhold nothing and make God the supreme Lord of your entire life?
This blog was written by Amy Carrico: Author of Making Moments Matter Blog
Last Updated on November 12, 2024
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