Trials That Can Only Be Overcome by Faith

Genesis 22:2

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.”

Can you picture yourself standing over your child with knife in hand, ready to offer him or her as a living sacrifice?  Can you even conceive of the idea that you would have gotten as far as the sacrificial altar?  Did anyone, other than Jesus Himself, have to endure a greater test than Abraham? 

To have to lose your child by the act of your own hand, who could endure such a test?  Only a person of unfathomable faith in the promises of God could.  When Abraham headed up the mountain with Isaac, he held the promise from God that God would make Abraham a great nation.  This promise could not be fulfilled without Isaac.

Abraham makes two comments that indicate that he faced his trial girded by faith in God's promises.  The first confirmation of his faith came when he saw the place of sacrifice from afar.  He told the servants that had joined him and Isaac, "Stay here with the donkey.  I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you."  The second confirmation of his faith came when Isaac asked where was the lamb for the sacrifice.  Abraham responded, "God will provide the lamb for Himself for the burnt offering, my son."  And so it was that Abraham became a great nation as he stood with his knife ready, waiting in faith for His God to fulfill His promises.

God will test each of us.  He wants us to build up our faith in Him.  Take strength from the story of Abraham and Isaac.  God will always provide a way for us to fulfill the plan that he has for our lives and for the lives of those that we serve.  He will provide all that we need to endure that which we may feel is unbearable.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for covering us in the many promises of comfort, provision and strength that You have revealed to us in Your Holy Word.  Test us, O Lord, to build our faith in who You are.  Strengthen us, O Lord, that we may pass the tests that prepare us for our place in Your eternal kingdom.  Comfort us as we endure the trials.  Build up in us the faith of Abraham.  May we rejoice in seeing the fruits of our faith.  We ask all these things in the name of the Author of Our Faith, Jesus Christ.