This is a story that makes me cry every time I really read it and put myself in Abraham’s shoes. Today, I thought of Isaac and his experience. Isaac has probably been spoiled rotten by his parents as the long-awaited child promised by God. Having gotten all the attention since Ishmael was sent away, he is probably very close to his father. He looks up to Abraham for everything in his life. Now they are on a mission together.
When Isaac questions his father, his innocence is so clear. He doesn’t want to question his dad but does anyway. What do you suppose went through his mind when his father started strapping him up as the sacrifice. Was he scared? Did he cry? Did he struggle and try to get away thinking his father had gone mad? How was his life changed in that moment? Would he be forever scarred?
I like to think that Isaac totally trusts his father, just as Abraham totally trusted in God. Abraham passed the test, and God was pleased. Abraham received God’s blessing and his promise remained intact. Do you ever feel like God is testing you? Is he asking you to do something so outlandish you are afraid? Think of Abraham. Sometimes our faith needs to be bold. We need to cry out, “Here I am.”
I can’t even imagine what I would have been thinking between the time God asked me to sacrifice my son and the actual occurrence. There were days that passed. All that time the mind was left to wander. All those chances to say, NOPE, I’m not going to do this. Abraham didn’t question whether he had heard God right, he just did as he was told. Was that the hardest thing he had ever done? Probably. Did he tell Sarah was he was up to? Probably not.
I’m not sure I can think of a situation that would be harder to live through. Every time we get to the part where the angel cries out telling Abraham to stop, do not harm the child, I feel like applauding. Just in time.
What sort of trial are you facing right now? Is it self-imposed? Do you have any control over the situation? It’s time to say “Here I am, God. I need your help.” We need to listen to his voice. We need to wait for his provision. If we can’t change our situation, we need to stop letting it control us. We have that choice. Ask the question, “Can I change this?” If the answer is no, we have to accept it and ask God for his intervention.
Let’s pray. Lord, there are some areas of my life that are out of my control. Help me to let them go and not waste another moment thinking about trying to change them. But for those things I can change, Lord, give me the wisdom, the courage, and the ability I need to make change happen if it is your will. I give you thanks for all of the beautiful miracles you cause to happen in my life. May I never take full credit for what you have helped me to accomplish. May I be humble and giving despite the success that comes our way. In Jesus’ name.
