by Kelly T. Dixon
Readings: Genesis 12:1-8; Genesis 22:1-18
I will never forget the day I realized the Holy Spirit was leading me to quit my job and start working full time in the business that I had held part time on the side. I had been working for the same company for eight years and circumstances that surrounded me kept drawing me more and more to the feet of Christ. As I sat at His feet absorbing the life lessons, the reality of this request came to the surface. I sat in shock for a while and finally realized I felt very insecure with the decision. But as I began to take the steps of faith by trusting in my Lord I realized where my security should lie.It was at the end of the year when the lessons began and I was wrapping up my college career (literally). My husband and I still considered ourselves newly weds and his job was not very stable. In my fleshly understanding I thought, “This is a crazy decision.” However, I felt the Holy Spirit strongly leading me in this direction and looking back today, I am glad I was obedient to Him. I believe with all my heart that the depth of my walk with the Savior would not be where it is today and my other steps of faith would not have come to fruition.
This time in my life was brought to mind as I read over the story of Abraham and how he was called on many occasions to trust in the Lord. God's call for Abraham to leave his land and go to a land that He would show him probably initially brought an insecure feeling for Abraham. Yet, the Scriptures indicate that Abraham did not hesitate. He gathered up the crew and he went. That step in obedience and trust in the Lord is what prepared Abraham for the ultimate test that God had for his faith which was the request for him to sacrifice his son, Isaac.
Looking in more detail, we see that Isaac symbolized Christ who would come and save us from our sins. A few of the correlations are: carrying the wood on his back correlates to Christ carrying the cross and then willingly being bound by his father correlates to Christ willingness to do as the Father sent Him to do. Sent by the Father as a sacrifice, Jesus showed us how to be obedient through trusting in the Lord. However, Abraham didn't have this example to look to – only his relationship with the Lord. A relationship that was strengthened by the steps of faith he took.
First, we see that Abraham's trust in the Lord began by the first step of immediate obedience. Abraham rose early the next morning to do as the Lord had requested. Once again, Abraham did not hesitate. Even though this request from the Lord seemed unreasonable, Abraham trusted that the Lord knew best and in Hebrews 11:19 it tells us Abraham reasoned with himself that God could raise the dead. It was this reasoning that shows us Abraham's heart. He knew in his heart God was in control – ultimate control – and if He had to raise Isaac from the dead to fulfill His promise to Abraham, He would. This reasoning I am sure was what Abraham comforted himself with throughout the night and it was what rose him up early to do as he was instructed to do.
Next, we must realize that this trip was a three day trip (which is another symbolization to Christ). Three days Abraham was with his son as they traveled together. Three days Abraham knew what he was requested to do as he watched his son. I am sure these were three long days for Abraham. But at the end of those three days, Abraham looked up and saw the place and told his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."(Genesis 22:5) His trust in the Lord was so substantial that he knew they would come back together. It wasn't an uncertainty. It was a certainty that once again showed Abraham's heart of trust. This heart that trusted God continued to be revealed as he told Isaac, who questioned about the lamb, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." (Genesis 22:8) A full surrender of the heart! Abraham was expressing that he didn't know what, when or how, but he knew Who!!
Finally, we see that up until the point that the Angel of the Lord stopped him, Abraham completed the command to the fullest. He had every intention of sacrificing his son. He didn't prepare the altar; bind Isaac; and then beg God to not make him do it. He was taking action to complete the request from God to the fullest. It was at this point that the Angel of the Lord arrived to say, “Abraham, Abraham. Do not lay a hand on the boy. Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." (Genesis 22:12) The words probably brought all the emotions Abraham had inside to the surface at that point. He was overjoyed at the outcome and even closer to his God.
Do you feel the Lord calling you to do something that in your flesh it seems unreasonable? If so, He is calling you to trust in Him so He can draw you closer to Him. He wants you to take steps of faith that show this trust. Steps of faith that are shown through obedience to His commands. Don't hold back from taking those steps. At the end you will be like Abraham – overjoyed at the outcome and even closer to your God.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know You want me to trust You. Help me to be like Abraham, a servant of Yours who takes immediate action in trusting You by taking steps of faith. Guide me in seeing Your requests and draw me closer to You. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Deepening The Walk Mini Bible Studies: I have been led to offer a pdf file that has further in depth study for each part of this faith series. When Ladies for Jesus offers these type studies we call them “Deepening The Walk.” It is our prayer that you use this extra material to assist you in deepening your walk with the Lord. Go to the Deepening The Walk Mini Bible Studies.
