Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Ever wonder how the dear old Abraham would have felt when God told him to sacrifice Isaac?
"Issac? My only son? Hey God...don't pull my leg on this, it ain't funny"
"You're not kidding are you God?"
"God, you can't be serious."
"I thought you just gave him to me?"
"What will become of your promise of countless decendants?"
Just to put things in perspective...Abraham was old. I mean OLD. Had his first child when he was a hundred. You'd think he's not likely to have another child at all. And God had just asked him to walk up the hill to sacrifice his only son to Him.
Now what kind of God will do that?
A jealous but loving God - my God.
We all have our Isaacs in our lives. Something important that we hold on to. Something dearest to us. Possibly something that will stumble you in your walk with God. And i know firsthand how hard, how painful it is to give that thing up. Could be your grades. Looks. A person. Abilities. Possessions. Anything you hold dear to you. The tread up the hill with what you are about to sacrifice is never easy - if it was, it wouldn't be a sacrifice. (remember David? "I will not offer anything that cost me nothing")
Sometimes, like in the case of Abraham, your Isaac is saved. Sometimes it's sacrificed, never to come back. Though it's hard to believe, but God
will honour that sacrifice made. I'll say it again - it's not easy, but it must be done. It will hurt, it will scar, it will bring pain and nights of tears. But if i had a choice, i'd still do it again. Give it all up to Him
right now.
Practically speaking, with regard to that something you hold so so so so dear to yourself, strike off everything that you can that links to it. EVERYTHING. No pictures, erase the memories, wipe out the thoughts and plans you have.
Nothing should be withheld from Him - not a trace. (and remember that He knows when you make a false sacrifice, i've been guilty of that too)
In making that small step of faith, you'll find that you have nothing left. You're hopeless. You're helpless. You're weak. If you do feel that, good. The weaker, the more inadequate and incomplete you feel the better. Because in our weakness His strength is made perfect. Not good, not better, not obvious, but
perfect.
I dare say God will honour that sacrifice. God will give something back - He always does. But unless you can let go of the costume jewelery, He can't give you the real deal. Believe me, i know the feeling - it goes *ouch*, *cry*, *sniff*, then *WOW*.
Abraham's story had a happy ending - Isaac was saved at the last minute. Our story might not - the sacrificial knife might go all the way in. But know this - God will always provide.
Always. Pain will heal. Sorrow will die. But the things that God provides will last beyond all that.
He who did not spare His own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?- Roman 8:32Sacrifice. Trust. Receive. In that order.
simply jon.pondered @ 9:01 am
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