January 09, 2017
Does your faith, or lack of faith, have an effect on those who come behind? Abraham’s did. And the ultimate illustration of his faith and God’s faithfulness is still blessing us.
NO GREATER TEST
Abraham and his wife had waited 100 years for the fulfillment of God's promise in Isaac. And now, ""God tested Abraham"" by asking for ...
It is impossible, even as a parent, to put yourself in Abraham's place because of what this son represented. He was the fulfillment of God's promise and the key to an entire race of people that God said would bless the world. Of all the things God would ask for, why this?
NO GREATER FAITH
But here is where Abraham's completed faith goes on display. There had come such a perfection to Abraham's faith that he did not waver a millisecond.
""So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him."" (Genesis 22:3)
It almost sounds like another day at the office for the Father of our faith. But think of what must have been running through his mind. Hebrews tells us that Abraham believed he would slay his son but that God would resurrect him (Hebrews 12:19). Regardless of his thoughts, it was all firmly planted in faith ... faith that God had made a promise that through this boy the world would be blessed and faith that God was always faithful to his promise. Abraham believed God.
NO GREATER PLACE
Our perfect, wise God was creating a picture which would not have been complete had He not directed Abraham to a singular, strategic spot on the globe. One mountain in the land of Moriah. One place of sacrifice.
Calvary. The mountain of God's choosing would be the same mountain that God Himself would take His Son for that ultimate sacrifice, of which Abraham's was merely a foreshadowing. In fact, I personally believe it was on the exact spot where Christ's crucifixion would later occur.
Abraham had the glorious privilege of illustrating in type the ultimate Sacrifice that would be made by the Ultimate Father and Son for the ultimate purpose. And all the world would be blessed through this ultimate gift. There God would ""provide for Himself the Lamb for the burnt offering."" Except, in that moment, the knife would fully descend and with it the punishment for the sins of all mankind.
Little did Abraham know the part he was playing in God's eternal plan. He was chosen and developed for this moment. And he passed the test of faith, forever giving us a perfect illustration of what matured faith can become. Abraham’s faith is stilling blessing us all.
Dear Father of all Faith ... in my small tests, make me faithful. Let my life, in some measure, put your faithfulness on display for all the world to see. Help me realize that my part in this great tapestry of faith and faithfulness, promise and reward that you are weaving is an important thread. And may it point people to Mt. Moriah to see the Father who willingly slayed His Son for us all. May my faith today, bless those who come behind.
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