22:1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Take 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.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. 4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.
9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” 12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”
Genesis 22:1-12
God is our Heavenly Father, He is full of love and loves to have us in His loving bosom. He even gave us His only begotten Son to us on the cross! Why did God ask Abraham to sacrifice his only begotten son, Isaac?
God has everything. Abraham only had this only son who would inherit everything! Why was God so cruel?!
We may not understand why God always takes away what we love!
You can fill in the blank: My beloved is _________. Are you willing to give up your beloved husband, wife, children, parents, boyfriend, girlfriend, money, career, vacations, favorites, habits, comforts, or life plans…… in where God has told you, offer him/her/it to God?
After giving it to God, you no longer have him/her/it! But let God be in charge!
Do you trust that God will really give you the best?
He (Abraham) considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
Hebrews 11:19
God did not ask Abraham to sacrifice his beloved Isaac from day one! God gave Isaac to Abraham first. When Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 years old, when there was no hope, Isaac was born miraculously according to God’s promise!
Do you know and admit that everything you have is given to you by God? Abraham knew it! Abraham also understood that Isaac was his only heir! If he were to offer Isaac as a burnt offering, how would God’s promise be fulfilled? So Abraham believed that God would resurrect the dead Isaac! His relationship with God was escalated to the summit!
Do you believe that God may take away your loves but will give you what you really need?
Heavenly Father is willing to give you even his beloved Son, do you believe that he is really willing to give you the best? If he asks you to give him what you love, would you trust him?
Song:
OLIVES THAT HAVE KNOWN NO PRESSURE
(lyrics: Watchman Nee, Music: Stephen Foster)
Olives that have known no pressure，Never can oil bestow;
If the grapes escape the wine-press, Cheering wine can never flow;
Spikenard only thro‘the crushing, Its fragrance can diffuse.
Shall I then, shrink from the suff’ring that Thy love would so induce?
Each blow I suffer Is true gain to me.
In the place of what Thou takes
Thou dost give Thyself to me.
Raisins & Apples Bible Devotional & more 