Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.          Genesis 22:1 NIV

The Lord tests Abraham, putting him in a severe crisis. Let us be reminded, this was not the only major test or crisis Abraham had to face. The Lord has brought Abraham through four very definite crises, each of which was a real exercise of his soul, a real strain upon his heart. First of all, he was called to leave all of his relatives in Ur of the Chaldees. He was just to leave the whole group. That was a real test for Abraham. He didn’t do it very well at the beginning, but, nevertheless, the break finally came. Then there was the test that came with Lot, his nephew. Abraham loved Lot, he wouldn’t have been carrying Lot around with him if he hadn’t. But the time came when they had to separate, and Lot went down to Sodom. Then there was the test with the son of Hagar, Ishmael. Abraham just cried out to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!” He loved Ishmael, he hated to be separated from him. Now Abraham comes to this supreme test, the fourth great crisis in his life! He is asked to give up Isaac. Abraham does not quite understand all the details for the very simple reason that God has told him, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called’. Abraham believed God would raise Isaac from the dead (Hebrews 11:19), but as far as Abraham is concerned, he is willing to go through with the sacrifice. The challenge of absolute surrender!

PRAYER THOUGHT

All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, one of the greatest challenges we face is when You call for absolute surrender of our lives, which can only happen when our hearts are totally Yours. AMEN

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)

Matthew 21:17-22

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