(vs1-5) “Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, Abraham! And he said, Here I am. Then He said, Take now 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...Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said to his young men, Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you”.
The believers hope and assurance is God, the truth of His faithfulness to us. We only rest and conquer by this faith.
First, we are sure that He is faithful. Abraham said, “we will come back to you”, and God won't forsake us or fail to fulfill His promises. Abraham knows what God has said, so he knows that he AND Isaac would return, even though Isaac must become ashes, a burnt sacrifice. We read, “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son of whom it was said, In Isaac your seed shall be called, concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead” (Heb 11:17-19). He knew God cannot lie, so you rest yourself on Him too. Know what He's said is sure, even when impossible, even when things are in the way.
Secondly, show your faith in behavior. Abraham not only talks, but he lives believing God. If God is true and blesses faith, then believe at all times, casting all hope and care on Him. We read, “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us” (Ps 62:8). Don't care for yourself or find pleasure in sin. Please God and be pleased by Him. Christ is the example of sinlessness, of honoring God always and being rewarded thereby. Scripture says, “Who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but COMMITTED Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Pet 2:23). He knew the reward was coming!
Thirdly, don't be ashamed to tell others. Abraham bore witness, confessing his faith before men, for God's glory, and for peoples good. He said, “to his young men, Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you”. He put it on the line. Let them know that God is faithful. Let them know your worship is divine and real, so they can be saved and God be honored in your faith. Christ told the former leper, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well” (Luke 17:19). Don't keep it to yourself that God is good. Say it when times are tough, in confidence of Him.
Lastly, rejoice. You will see the faithfulness of God soon, how He provides for you. We read, “And God said, Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me. Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son” (vs12-13).
Just as He stepped in for Abraham, He steps in for you, in due time, rewarding all who believe. He will not fail to rescue, help, or fulfill His goodness. No obstacle impedes Him. He PROVIDES for Himself, and you'll eternally adore Him for satisfying justice and providing all that He needs in obedience.
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