“By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.”
- Hebrews 11:17-19
We are all familiar with the story of Abraham and Sarah. While they were both well-beyond child bearing age, God blessed them with a son named Isaac. In testing Abraham’s faith, God instructed him to sacrifice Isaac (the son God promised him). Abraham was so faithful to God that he did not question Him and went forward with the sacrifice. God would eventually intervene, but through Abraham, we learn that obedience and faith to God’s commands is the only way to unlock the promises God has for us.
Throughout the twenty-second chapter of Genesis, Abraham teaches us to sacrifice, elevate, believe and expect:
Sacrifice:
“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” -Genesis 22:1-2
What are you willing to sacrifice for God? In order to build a strong relationship with the Lord we must sacrifice those things that may be hindering us from getting closer to God. As Christians, it is essential for us to conduct an honest audit of our lives and rid ourselves of those things that are coming between us and God.
Elevate:
“On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there.” Genesis 22:4-5
Getting closer God will require you to leave some people and relationships behind. Everyone is not equipped to elevate with you. Evaluate the relationships in your life and if you have some people that are coming between you and God, do not hesitate to tell them to stay with the other “donkeys”.
Believe:
“We will worship and then we will come back....” “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. Genesis 22:5,6-8
Though God instructed Abraham to sacrifice his son and Abraham obeyed, he still proclaimed that we (him and his son) would come back. Abraham believed that God would save Isaac, even if he did not know how. God is not a man and cannot lie, so trust and believe that God will do what He said He would do in your life.
Expect:
“Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So, Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” – Genesis 22:13-14
Before Abraham could lay a hand on Isaac an Angel of the Lord interceded and provided a ram to be sacrificed instead. Expect God’s provisions in your life no matter your situation or circumstances. The Lord Will Provide for you if trust, obey and believe.
During the tests of life, we often pray and ask God for clarification and deliverance. Sometimes God says yes, but more often than not He says no. God does not say no to punish us – He says no because He knows the plans He has for us. Plans to prosper and not harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. God’s grace is sufficient for whatever trials you are facing today. When you find yourself in a test, do what Abraham did and sacrifice, elevate, believe and expect.
- Hebrews 11:17-19
We are all familiar with the story of Abraham and Sarah. While they were both well-beyond child bearing age, God blessed them with a son named Isaac. In testing Abraham’s faith, God instructed him to sacrifice Isaac (the son God promised him). Abraham was so faithful to God that he did not question Him and went forward with the sacrifice. God would eventually intervene, but through Abraham, we learn that obedience and faith to God’s commands is the only way to unlock the promises God has for us.
Throughout the twenty-second chapter of Genesis, Abraham teaches us to sacrifice, elevate, believe and expect:
Sacrifice:
“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” -Genesis 22:1-2
What are you willing to sacrifice for God? In order to build a strong relationship with the Lord we must sacrifice those things that may be hindering us from getting closer to God. As Christians, it is essential for us to conduct an honest audit of our lives and rid ourselves of those things that are coming between us and God.
Elevate:
“On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there.” Genesis 22:4-5
Getting closer God will require you to leave some people and relationships behind. Everyone is not equipped to elevate with you. Evaluate the relationships in your life and if you have some people that are coming between you and God, do not hesitate to tell them to stay with the other “donkeys”.
Believe:
“We will worship and then we will come back....” “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. Genesis 22:5,6-8
Though God instructed Abraham to sacrifice his son and Abraham obeyed, he still proclaimed that we (him and his son) would come back. Abraham believed that God would save Isaac, even if he did not know how. God is not a man and cannot lie, so trust and believe that God will do what He said He would do in your life.
Expect:
“Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So, Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” – Genesis 22:13-14
Before Abraham could lay a hand on Isaac an Angel of the Lord interceded and provided a ram to be sacrificed instead. Expect God’s provisions in your life no matter your situation or circumstances. The Lord Will Provide for you if trust, obey and believe.
During the tests of life, we often pray and ask God for clarification and deliverance. Sometimes God says yes, but more often than not He says no. God does not say no to punish us – He says no because He knows the plans He has for us. Plans to prosper and not harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. God’s grace is sufficient for whatever trials you are facing today. When you find yourself in a test, do what Abraham did and sacrifice, elevate, believe and expect.
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