When I was in school, tests sent me into panic/stress/freak out mode. I would often feel sick to my stomach at the thought of a test. What I dreaded was discovering whether I passed or not. (I must admit that lower than a 70 in my mind was a fail.) I also dreaded the "blank-out."
Everyone's had at least one experience with the "blank-out" You know you know it, but there is the question- right in front of you and nothing is coming to mind.
So, the thought that God would test us does not bring me much comfort.
Here in chapter 22 of Genesis, that is what God does to Abraham.
"Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about." vs 2
Just as we saw in chapter 21 with Ishmael and Hagar, Abraham immediately obeyed God's command, despite the sadness it brought him. He packs up his son, and heads off towards the mountains with a heavy, heavy heart.
It is in those moments, the journey towards the challenge where I begin to question God.
I have been learning a lot about active faith in the past few months. It is easy to believe in God, but to trust and obey him? Easier said than done.
This upcoming fall, I will be attending Bible school. After calculating costs.. I am starting to feel the stress. However, when this journey first began, I felt God pushing me towards this and I trust that he will provide. I am also slightly confused, because I am leaving a place where I felt God placed me. It was a wonderful, challenging time full of love, growth and God's grace. Now, I feel like I am being led away from a place which brings me peace, happiness and I felt like I was serving God's kingdom.
However, I feel a little like what I imagine Abraham might have been feeling. God promised him a son, blessed him with a beautiful son- and then suddenly He asks Abraham to give up his son. What is God doing?
Well He's testing Abraham's faith.
"faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2: 17b
You know what the great thing about this story is? God provides :) Today, this chapter is God's word of encouragement to me. God is giving me a chance to put my faith into action, trust him... He will not lead me up a mountain without providing. He can't provide if I don't begin the trek upwards, and allow myself to have a need.
Abraham had bound Isaac on the altar and had gotten out his knife to kill his son, but an angel of the LORD stopped him. At that moment, he looks and he sees a ram to be sacrificed.
He then names the place "The LORD will provide."
That's a good reminder for me today.
The Lord will provide.
AMEN.
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