“By faith Abraham, when
God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice.” - Hebrews 11:17
Last week I
came across a story about a college student who was taking a class in
ornithology, the study of birds. The teacher had a reputation for being
extremely difficult, so this guy spent weeks studying for the final exam. The
day of the test arrived, and he went to class feeling prepared. But instead of
having a normal test, there were 25 pictures on the wall of birds' feet. And
the exam boiled down to this: Identify all 25 birds by their feet.
Well, this young
man was ticked! He walked up to the professor and said, "This is crazy. Nobody
could pass this test." The teacher responded, "Nevertheless, you have
to take it." The student said, "I'm not going to take it." The
teacher responded, "You have to take it, or you fail the course." The
kid said, "Go ahead and fail me. I'm not going to take this test."
The teacher says, "All right. That's it. You've failed. Tell me your
name." The kid kicked off his shoes, hiked up his pant legs to show his
feet and said, "You tell me."
Have you
ever been given a test that you didn’t think was fair? For some of us it was the algebra test that
required us to know formulas that weren’t discussed in class. For others it was
the DMV written test that asked questions that weren’t in the review book. For
some married couples it was the pregnancy test that didn’t come back the way
that you wanted it to. And let’s be honest: Sometimes God’s tests aren’t fair
either.
In Genesis
12, God commanded Abraham to go to an unknown destination, leaving his country,
his people and his family (Genesis 12:1). In chapter 22, he raised the ante
quite a bit when he said: “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.” (Genesis 12:2). Once again, God gave Abraham
one very difficult command to obey in faith. And once again, Abraham had to
walk in faith without knowing exactly where he was going. Last time God’s one
command was “Go!” This time God’s one command was “Sacrifice!”
But there
is one BIG difference between God’s command in Genesis 12 and his command in Genesis
22. According to what God’s word tells us both in Hebrews 11:17 and in Genesis
22:1, when God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, it was a TEST. Now,
let’s just say it: This test of God sounds warped and cruel. How on earth could
a loving God ask one of His followers to murder his own son, even if God knew
He wasn’t going to let him go through with it? It seems almost sadistic. And I
don’t have an easy explanation -- just like Abraham, we’re going to have to
take it on faith that God knew what He was doing, even if it doesn’t make sense
to you and me.
As we know,
at the last minute God commanded Abraham to spare his son, providing a ram for
the sacrifice instead. But what can you and I learn today from God’s
nerve-racking test? Here are 3 important lessons that we need to embrace as we
walk by faith:
#1: Expect tests and trials from
God, because the Christian life is never easy. Living for Jesus Christ is, without
a doubt, the best way to live, but it’s definitely not easy, in large part
because life isn’t easy. Our cars get rear-ended, our bills pile up, and our
bodies break down. And following Christ, in some ways, makes life harder.
Following God’s laws is not easy. But living for Jesus brings us peace with God,
forgiveness, grace, purpose, hope, comfort in our sorrows—AND love and joy.
Remember that as you follow Christ, God is more concerned with your character
than He is with your comfort. So, at times he will send you trials and tests to
prove that your faith is real, to make you stronger, and to bring out the best
in you.
#2: Focus on promises, not
explanations. Abraham
didn’t know why on earth God wanted him to sacrifice his son, but Abe held fast
to the promise God had given him—that God would make Isaac into a great nation
as numerous as the stars in the sky and the grains of sand on the seashore. One
way or another, Abraham believed that God would be true to His word. If God
didn’t give Abraham a full explanation every time He gave him a command, why on
earth do you think God owes YOU a full explanation every time He gives you a
command? The fact is … He doesn’t owe you anything. So, if you’re going to
follow Jesus Christ, you need to be okay with that. So, instead of obsessing
over God’s explanations (or lack thereof), focus on the hundreds of promises of
God. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” “You can do all things through
Christ who strengthens you.” “You are more than a conqueror through Him who
loves you.”
#3: Depend on God’s provision. Just as He provided Abraham with the
ram, the Lord will always provide for your needs in the place of His
assignment. What does that mean? If you are walking in faith and obeying His
marching orders in faith, He will meet every one of your needs. Count on it! If
He isn’t meeting all your needs, the reason is simple: You’re not where you’re
supposed to be. If you’re where God means you to be, then let me share a
wonderful little promise with you: “My God will supply all your needs according
to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
Dane Davis is the Pastor of Impact
Christian Church. Join us for our Worship Service Sundays at 10 a.m. at the
new Dr. Ralph Baker School in Victorville. For more information, visit www.GreaterImpact.cc.
No comments:
Post a Comment