My Isaac

Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 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

I have gained a whole new respect for Abraham after dealing with God’s request in my own life these last few weeks. God asked him to sacrifice the one thing that meant the most to him, his son Isaac. He immediately prepared and departed the next day in obedience to the Lord.

I can only imagine what must have been going through his mind on the journey to Moriah. Please Lord, change your mind. Please Lord, make a way for this sacrifice to be something else. Why Lord? He is the promised child. Or at least that is what I would have been thinking.

But still he went. He walked in obedience regardless of how difficult each step was and for three days he pressed on to do what God was asking of him. Then the day came. The alter was made ready and Isaac was laid upon it. The knife was raised and in that moment of complete obedience, God saw Abraham’s devotion and kept him from sacrificing his son.

While the sacrifice that God is currently asking of me is no way near the extreme that Abraham’s was, it is surprising how hard it is to walk in obedience and to give up something I truly love. I find myself hoping that circumstances will change. That God will make a way for me to keep the summer retreat. That He will change His mind.

But still….I need to walk in complete obedience, trusting that God knows best. Deep down in my soul I don’t believe that He will change His mind and I need to be okay with that. I pray that God will help me to accept His will with complete obedience and a right heart. Trusting that He knows best.

This last weekend at the retreat I have been dwelling on the good memories, thankful for each and every one of them. Grateful that God is active and present in my life. Repenting for dependence on anything other than My Lord and trusting that God’s will is good, pleasing and perfect.

Thank you Lord.