Reading
SAA Notes
Abraham’s greatest test was in the offering up of his son, yet believing that God would do all He had promised through this son – give Abraham many descendants through Isaac (17:19). God, who is beyond Time, does not ask anything of us that He is not willing to do Himself. Jesus, unlike Isaac, comes wittingly and willingly to His greater sacrifice.
SJA Notes
* Sovereign God, please teach us today more of Your will for us.
“Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.”
This can be an incredibly confronting passage to read and contemplate.
How can God ask this of Abraham!
It is good and important that we do not shy away here, and that we consider the whole of scripture as we wrestle with these things.
The book of Hebrews (ch 11) tells us that God was testing Abraham (this very idea can itself be a knot to work at in our minds).
This was Isaac, the child of promise – Through whom God had promised to give descendants as many as the stars – How can God ask this of Abraham!
We read in Hebrews (ch 11),
“He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.”
Here it is – Abraham acted in faith and was rewarded!
His decision-making was grounded in his faith in God, the promises God had made (that He is faithful and powerful to keep them).
We must be the same.
God has promised great things, and He is faithful and true to bring about those things.
We see this with Abraham. We see it onwards with Isaac, with Jacob, with Joseph and his brothers. We see it with God calling His people out of Egypt and into the land promised to Abraham.
And we see it with us.
That our loving God has graciously called us out of our sin, that in His mercy He has called us from darkness into light.
Into a new kingdom, not made with bricks and mortar.
Hallelujah, what a Saviour God we have!
* Merciful God,
Please be our God today. Please help us with the little things and the big things – For we are helpless without You.
Please write Your word on our hearts today that we might not sin against You.
We offer up ourselves today as living sacrifices – may we submit under Your will as You guide as through our lives.
Amen.