Genesis 22:1-2 - Trials
Trials
"And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of." (Genesis 22:1-2, KJV)
Praise God we have a Savior born to us so that He may conquer death for us! For a Christian, there is triumph no matter how severe the problem. We usually think of Job when it comes to trials, but God tested Abraham with the most severe trial imaginable—to take his only son whom he loved and sacrifice him as an offering.
Isaac was the son of promise—whom Sarah bore to Abraham in her old age after many years of being barren. Why would God require such a sacrifice? Wasn’t Isaac to be the one through whom the lineage of Jesus would come? It made no sense to Abraham, but he faithfully obeyed God’s command.
We will be tested in things near and dear to us. By trusting God, we can face any trial, however painful. Trials produce perseverance, character and hope (Rom. 5:3-5). Perseverance must finish its work so that we may be mature and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4).
As Abraham grew in his faith, he saw God’s plan of salvation unfold and gave glory to God. As we learn to trust God and His Word in the midst of our trials, may we grow in our faith. May God give us a teachable heart so that we, too, may praise Him. As we walk by faith and not by sight, let us thank Him for the blessings He bestows on us - especially through our trials.
Lord, daily we fail to live up to Your law and we falter in our faith, even when we try to do good. Yet, by faith we rest in You because You lived a perfect life on earth for us. God sees Your righteousness instead of our failings and sin. Thank You for being the perfect sacrifice for our sins! In Your name we pray, Amen.
- Bob Prue (Rosebud Sioux), Oneida, Wisconsin
Read Death Toll for Hopelessness Rises about the suicide epidemic on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota and Bob Prue's servant event trip there in August.