Faith and Obedience (I)

Bible Reading: Genesis 22:1-8

When God was to test Abraham’s faith, God asked him to offer up his only son, Isaac whom he loved as a sacrifice to him. This is the child that God had promised Abraham over ten years earlier when Abraham was ninety years that he (Isaac) would be the child of promise (Genesis 17:19). Abraham had Isaac when he was one hundred years old, according to the exact time that God had promised him. Truly, God makes all things beautiful in His time and He is committed to bringing His word to pass at the appointed time. Abraham knew by virtue of his relationship with God that God keeps His promises and Abraham remembers God’s covenant with him and his seed. Abraham’s friendship with God was so strong that God would come down to have conversations with Abraham; “And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham” (Genesis 17:22), “And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place” (Genesis 18:33). Also, God would tell Abraham what he is about to do and seek Abraham’s opinion (Genesis 18:17). Hence, Abraham had learned faith and obedience as a way to relate with God even before Isaac was born.

So when God asked Abraham to offer up his only son, Abraham knew that although God was able to provide a lamb for the sacrifice, God had chosen to request for Isaac. Despite the challenge of fulfilling God’s request, Abraham obeyed. Although he knew that God has the ability to raise Isaac from the dead in eternity (Hebrews 11:19), it must have been difficult for Abraham (as a parent) to obey. But he obeyed and when his son asked him about the lamb for the sacrifice, Abraham’s response was that God will provide a lamb for the burnt offering. Also, Abraham’s instruction to his servants to “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you” (Genesis 22:5, NIV). Abraham obeyed because He had faith in God, ‘I am that I am’. Faith and obedience are prerequisite to walking with God.

Daily Confession: Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness. I choose to believe God.

Intercessory prayer: Pray that God will strengthen your faith and that of your family to obey him at all times.

Hymn: When we walk with the Lord

In the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way;

While we do His good will,

He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey,

For there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus,

But to trust and obey.