Love God Greatly - Faith Over Perfection预览

Read: Genesis 22:1–19; Hebrews 11:17–19

SOAP: Genesis 22:14 

And Abraham called the name of that place “The LORD provides.” It is said to this day, “In the mountain of the LORD provision will be made.”

We reach the climax of the Abrahamic narrative in Genesis 22. God presented Abraham with a test, not to see if his faith would survive adversity and trial, but to see if Abraham would obey a direct command that contradicted God’s promise. 

Isaac was God’s chosen descendant of Abraham, the one through whom God would make a great nation, whose descendants would inherit the land, and through whom all the nations on earth would be blessed. The tension and significance of God’s command for Abraham to sacrifice Isaac to Him were heightened with each phrase of God’s instruction: “…your son—your only son, whom you love, Isaac…” 

Without hesitation, Abraham obeyed. He made preparations and went through with God’s command. Abraham’s obedience to God, even though he believed he would offer Isaac as a sacrifice, showed the depth of his faith. Abraham saw God’s provision. He named the mountain “The LORD provides.” His belief in God’s provision allowed him the faith he needed to sacrifice Isaac. He obeyed God’s command because he truly believed in God’s provision, and God indeed provided.

As we reflect on Abraham’s obedience we can’t help but ask ourselves how willing we are to obey. When God asks us to follow Him, He often requires that which is most dear to us. Are we willing to give those things to Him and believe He will provide? He saw Abraham’s need and He provided a ram. He sees our need too, but that doesn’t mean He will always give us back what He asks us to give to Him. Sacrifice is at the heart of true worship and obedience. God asked Abraham to give Him something He had given him, something it was God’s will for Abraham to have. When God asks the same of us, may we, like Abraham, have faith in His ability to provide, and may we obey without hesitation.

Prayer

Lord God, I long to be obedient to You, no matter what You ask. Give me faith like Abraham, believing that You will provide. Give me faith to trust Your commands, even when they require great sacrifice. Amen.