A Test of Sacrifice
“Then God said, ’Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” - Genesis 22:2
One of the most difficult tests God gives, the ultimate test, is one that requires sacrifice—when we have to sacrifice something we value, something we hold in high esteem, or even something we love. In Abraham’s case it isn’t something, but someone, he loves. In Genesis 22, God tells Abraham that He wants him to take his only son and sacrifice him on a mountain.
Abraham could have said, “God, you must be kidding me? After the sacrifices I’ve made, what I’ve gone through, and waiting all this time, you want me to give up the blessing that you promised? How can you do this to me?” You might be reading this having walked, or one day will walk, in Abraham’s shoes.
You know what it is like to want something really bad only to have the very thing you prayed for, worked for, and sacrificed for, taken away from you. Sometimes, God will ask us to sacrifice the things that matter the most to us. Will you be obedient? Will you trust God? Do you love Him enough to sacrifice whatever it is He is asking you to give up?
If you continue to read the story, God does not have Abraham go through with the sacrifice. He is testing Abraham’s faith. And Abraham passes. He does exactly what God asks; and God not only spares Abraham’s son, but He blesses him for his obedience.
What God is asking you to do is always worth it. It might seem impossible, but if God is asking you to do something, do it. He will bless you in excess of what you must give up. Obey Him and trust Him. You will never regret it!
One of the most difficult tests God gives, the ultimate test, is one that requires sacrifice—when we have to sacrifice something we value, something we hold in high esteem, or even something we love. In Abraham’s case it isn’t something, but someone, he loves. In Genesis 22, God tells Abraham that He wants him to take his only son and sacrifice him on a mountain.
Abraham could have said, “God, you must be kidding me? After the sacrifices I’ve made, what I’ve gone through, and waiting all this time, you want me to give up the blessing that you promised? How can you do this to me?” You might be reading this having walked, or one day will walk, in Abraham’s shoes.
You know what it is like to want something really bad only to have the very thing you prayed for, worked for, and sacrificed for, taken away from you. Sometimes, God will ask us to sacrifice the things that matter the most to us. Will you be obedient? Will you trust God? Do you love Him enough to sacrifice whatever it is He is asking you to give up?
If you continue to read the story, God does not have Abraham go through with the sacrifice. He is testing Abraham’s faith. And Abraham passes. He does exactly what God asks; and God not only spares Abraham’s son, but He blesses him for his obedience.
What God is asking you to do is always worth it. It might seem impossible, but if God is asking you to do something, do it. He will bless you in excess of what you must give up. Obey Him and trust Him. You will never regret it!
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