Giving Till It Hurts
Read Genesis 21:1–23:20
9When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. 10And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. 11At that moment the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!” 12“Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.” 13Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son.Genesis 22:9-13
What comes to mind when you hear the word children? Small children can take everything out of us, yet they can also brighten our lives with a cute action, a smile, or a loving word.
After years of waiting and several tests of faith, at last Sarah conceives and has a baby—Isaac, or “Laughter”—the promised son. But Abraham’s faith must undergo one more test.
Tests of faith share the spotlight in this passage with other important lessons. As you read, note also what Abraham and others learn about the seriousness of sin; the importance of mourning; and the effect of a good reputation.
Through the years, Abraham had learned many tough lessons about the importance of obeying God—when he was called out of Ur, when he went to Egypt, and when he had to wait for Isaac’s birth. Initially, Abraham did not always show that he trusted or believed God; but through each test, he saw God’s willingness and ability to keep his promises, even if it took a miracle.
That is why God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22:1-2), to kill his beloved, only son—his miracle child—on an altar. God did not want Isaac to die, but he wanted Abraham to sacrifice Isaac in his heart so that he could learn to trust God completely (see Hebrews 11:19). Imagine what Abraham must have felt as he walked with Isaac up the mountain, each torturous step leading him painfully closer to unspeakable grief. Yet Abraham obeyed, and God honored his faith.
Obeying God may often be quite a struggle because it may mean giving up something that we truly want. We should not expect our obedience to God to be easy or to come naturally. Just as fire refines ore to extract precious metals, God refines us through difficult circumstances. When tested, we can complain or we can obey, trusting God as we try to see how he is teaching us. In what ways might God be testing your faith? What steps of faith do you need to take today to obey him?
(Source: from ms. @catietan's devotional materials)
Good evening everyone here, my sweet & grateful steemians, uloggers & faithful prayer warriors! Tonight devotion is indeed a very timely reminder & encouragement for me. Its all about obeying God, no more, no less. Obeying God may often be quite a struggle because it may mean giving up something that we truly want. We should not expect our obedience to God to be easy or to come naturally. Just as fire refines ore to extract precious metals, God refines us through difficult circumstances. When tested, we can complain or we can obey, trusting God as we try to see how he is teaching us. I've been through a lot in the past and indeed, I have to admit that I've complained, became bitter and almost gave up. The excruciating pain lingers and I couldn't help but hurt. Hurt people, hurt people. It's a crazy cycle.
I'm still a work in progress and I still go through testing daily at work, at home, church, everywhere. Its a day to day basis, moment by moment. God had gifted us with free will. The choice is all up to us: to obey or not. To give up something or to keep holding on to it. I am thankful that God have helped me along the way. He filled me with His Holy Spirit & wisdom. In spite of my filthiness due to my sin and unrighteousness, He never gave up on me.
I praise God because I was able to come out better not bitter. I was able to be triumphant and victorious not a sore loser. I have overcome Hallelujah! Amen. And its only by His grace.
Good Tuesday evening. God bless us all.
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I am @sashley a.k.a. shirleynpenalosa, a recipient of God's love, mercy and grace. :-)❤️
Have a blessed and colder Love month of February 2019 everyone :-)❤️
I am forever grateful to God every day of my life for giving me everything that I need and praise Him all the more for not giving me everything I want. To God be all the honor, praise and glory ❤️ :-)