Abraham

January 24

Genesis 21:1-3, 22:1-12

Isaac and the Offering

At the exact time God had promised, He allowed Sarah to have a baby, and Abraham named him Isaac. God’s promise to Abraham had come true, even though Abraham and Sarah were very old.

When Isaac was a young boy, the Lord said to Abraham, “Take your son, Isaac, and offer him as a sacrifice on a mountain I will show you.”

Without questioning God, Abraham took Isaac and left with his servants early the next morning. On the third day, Abraham saw the place in the distance and told his servants to stay behind while he and Isaac went on ahead.

Up the mountain they went until they reached the place God had shown Abraham. There, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. He tied up Isaac and laid him on the altar. But the angel of the Lord called out from heaven, “Abraham! Do not harm the boy. Now I know that you truly fear God.”

Why does God ask us to do difficult things?

If God can see our hearts, surely He already knows how much we love and trust Him. God does know all things (John 21:17), yet He sometimes puts our faith and commitment to the test (Deuteronomy 8:2).

This test is not like a school test where you need a certain score to pass. This test is not like a school test where you need a certain score to pass. Even if you fail completely, God still loves you just the same, and when you believe in Him, you will always be His child and have eternal life (John 5:24).

God’s tests actually strengthen our “faith muscles” and help us realize how much we depend on Him. It is often during times of testing that we experience the most spiritual growth.

Because of Abraham’s trust in God and his obedience, he is listed in the Bible as one of the great people of faith (see Hebrews 11:17).

Verse for today

Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind. Psalm 26:2