February 16
Straight from the Pastor’s Heart by Dr.Hernes Abante
Genesis 22:1-6
1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. 2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. 3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.
The account of the sacrifice of Isaac is a dramatic record of a remarkable crisis in Abram’s life. It is a story without precedent or parallel in the Old Testament. Jehovah God had never demanded human sacrifice before, and no one else had ever been commanded to do it. Imagine the tumult and turmoil in Abram’s heart and mind as he journeyed into Moriah. What would he tell Sarai? How could he face her? The improbable and impossible task lay ahead: sacrificing the son of promise to the God who provided him.
Certainly! The story of Abraham and Isaac is a powerful example of unwavering faith and obedience.
In the book of Genesis, God tests Abraham’s faith by commanding him to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac, as a burnt offering on Mount Moriah. Despite the immense emotional turmoil, Abraham obeys without hesitation. As he raises the knife to slay Isaac, an angel intervenes, providing a ram for the sacrifice instead. The unwavering obedience of Abraham demonstrated his trust in God’s plan and covenant.
Sacrificing one’s own child is the ultimate test of faith. Trials reveal our obedience to God and the genuineness of our faith. Parents often make sacrifices for their children, putting their needs above their own. Whether it’s waking up at night to care for a sick child or making tough decisions for their well-being, parental obedience exemplifies selflessness. In the military service, soldiers follow orders from their superiors, even in dangerous situations. Their obedience ensures discipline, unity, and mission success. While in church settings, devout believers follow religious teachings and rituals, trusting in divine guidance. In prestigious companies, there is professional obedience by employees who adhere to workplace rules, policies, and deadlines. Their obedience contributes to organizational success.
Similarly, for medical compliance, patients follow doctors’ instructions regarding medications, treatments, and lifestyle changes. Their obedience impacts health outcomes. We often witness too in road disciplines. There is obeying traffic laws to ensure safety on the roads and prevent accidents. Citizens comply with laws, court orders, and legal processes, maintaining social order in our government legal systems. We also observe social norms being followed (e.g., politeness, respecting personal space) and these reflect obedience to unwritten rules.
After the near-sacrifice, Isaac’s life exemplifies obedience to God’s promises. We learned that God blessed Isaac.s sons, Jacob and Esau. Isaac trusted God’s plan. Another example can be illustrated in the lives of Jacob, Joseph and other biblical figures who showed obedience in their actions and interactions.
Obedience, then plays a crucial role in various aspects of life, whether in faith, social contexts, or personal relationships. It challenges us to trust and follow even when faced with difficult choices. “After these things,” it must and it does come. God cares about our heart. He tests the purity of our love and the consistency of our obedience. Yes, our testing will certainly come. God is serious about our relationship with Him. Our intimate relationship with God is His highest priority for our lives. It is foundational in our spiritual journey and determines the impact we have on the world around us. Initially, God designed fellowship with us - first with Himself and then with others. But true love for one another follows from experiencing God’s love firsthand.
More importantly, God seeks our surrender and this allows us to experience His complete love. The more we know and love Jesus, the more effective our service becomes. Our closeness to God impacts on others. God waits for our surrender so He can bless us abundantly. He won’t break any of His promises, He makes no mistakes. But when we yield, He pours out His blessings.
We can see here how God tested Abram, probing the depths of his faith and obedience. Is there an Isaac in your life - a cherished gift that you hold dear? What is the precious promise, dream, or blessing that God has given you? God tests us too, not to harm us, but to refine our faith. He wants to know if we love Him more than the blessings He provides. Like Abram, we must be willing to surrender our “Isaacs” to God. It may seem improbable and impossible, but His ways are higher than ours.
Clearly illustrated here that life’s longest journey is the journey of obedience. Trust God even when the path is unclear. Just as God provided a ram as a substitute sacrifice for Isaac, He will provide a way when we trust Him completely.
Our Prayer for today:
Dear Heavenly Father, help us surrender and trust You with our “Isaacs” in life. Strengthen our faith, refine our hearts, and teach us and walk in obedience, even when the path is uncertain. May we fully rely on You and show this strong sense of confidence and assurance in all the things we go through. We pray for wisdom and understanding, to You alone, even when the journey seems impossible. In Jesus’ name, Amen.