Genesis 22
Today's Scripture

Finally, Abraham faces the ultimate test. Over the years he has been faithful to God most times, yet he has also failed in his trust and disobeyed. God asks him to make the ultimate sacrifice--to give his son Isaac to the Lord as a sacrifice.

Abraham obeys. We do not read of any pleading or anguish on his part. In Hebrews 11:17-19 we read: ^"17By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, ¹⁸even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring^[b] will be reckoned."^{[c] 19}Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death."

Abraham's faith had grown to the point that he completely trusted God--even when it seemed like God was going against his promise. He believed God would restore the life of Isaac--and God instead prevented Abraham from sacrificing his son and he provided a substitute--a ram caught in the thicket.

God provided a substitute for us, too. He gave us his one and only Son as a sacrifice for our sin. We don't need to have the faith of Abraham--even our faith is a gift of God. When we come to him in repentance, he will cleanse us from our sin through the blood of Jesus Christ. And we can grow in our love and faith in with him, trusting him more and more each day. When we are willing to give everything to the Lord, he has other blessings in mind for us--not the least of which is eternal life with him and his presence with us through dark times and good times.
- posted by Suzi @ 7:01 AM