Abraham’s Test (Part 1)
Begin today by reading through Genesis 22:1-8 (NLT):
“Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.” So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them walked on together, Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together.”
The Spirit of the Lord says to you today,
“My child, do not be deceived. There will be times when I will test your faith. In those times you must yield yourself to me, remembering that my ways are not your ways; my thoughts are not your thoughts. Testing is not punishment. Far from it! Testing means that I am moving; it means I am preparing you for the new thing. It means you are being stretched and moulded into the form required to carry what is coming. In those times you must seek my perspective. You must choose to partner with me. It is uncomfortable but with each season of testing you will notice yourself grow stronger in me. Testing is necessary so my request for you is: do not run from the test. When the challenge comes, allow faith to rise and set your mind upon my truth.”
Activation:
As you consider what God has said about times of testing, take some time to sit and read through Genesis 22:1-8 again. As you do this, think back to a time when you experienced testing.
- How did you respond to God in that time of testing?
- How do you feel about the idea of being tested by the Lord?
- How does Abraham respond to this test and what can you learn from Abraham’s response?
Spend some time journaling and reflecting upon these questions and how you have typically responded to God’s testing. Consider how your mindset or heart posture might need to change to position you for different outcomes in future challenges and times of testing
