The Testing of Abraham's Faith

By faith, Abraham, at the time of testing, offered Isaac back to God. Acting in faith, he was as ready to return the promised son, his only son, as he had been to receive him—and this after he had already been told, "Your descendants shall come from Isaac." Abraham figured that if God wanted to, he could raise the dead. In a sense, that's what happened when he received Isaac back, alive from off the altar. Hebrews 11:17 (The Message)

Ever have God give you a promise? Ever have him show you a life-vision… maybe it’s a work in the ministry or a specified purpose? Something bigger than you are… something or some dream that God’s laid on your heart that fills, thrills, and engages your creative juices?

Maybe you try and fulfill God’s purpose in your life... on your own... in your own strength? Many do… some fail… and some do not. Those who fail are the fortunate ones… the very blessed ones because God does not want His mission accomplished in their own strength. God always desires those with a broken-heart… to do his work… He can count on these to rely on him and to return to God the proper honor and glory.

Such was the heart of Abraham. God had promised that through him all nations would be blessed… He tried to 'help God' fulfill this vision with the birth of Ishmael but this lead only to heart-ache, stress, and divisiveness...

Then in Sarah and Abraham’s old age God blessed them both with a child of promise, Isaac.

Now, the promised child… (the vision that God had given to Abraham… just when the first step of fulfillment were to be actuated…) God seemingly changed His mind… for God gave Abraham a command to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering to him… [offering children was a pagan rite of the time…]

Ever feel like God’s changed His mind with you?

No, God had not changed his mind but was testing the faith of Abraham. The test required Abraham to die to his own desire to fulfill God’s plan and to place his entire trust, hope, and love into God’s hands. This is all that God requires of you and I… to trust and obey…

Abraham placed Isaac on the fire wood and raised a knife to kill his son… when an angel of the Lord stopped him. God knew for certain the trust and heart of Abraham.

Sometimes… God takes us to the breaking point… sometimes He saves at the very last moment… when all our hope is gone… when it is tempting to fix ‘the problem’ on our own… when self-reliance seems more rational that waiting on God… but when we wait… when we trust then we truly bring God the glory…

And bringing glory to God is what having faith in all about.