This is Only A Test- Lent 3

Too often you and I approach stories like God asking Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac as if God is on trial.  When we do that we are starting from the wrong place.  It is not God’s character that is in question.  It is Abraham’s character or our character that is on the stand.  Since the Garden of Eden, we get to choose to obey or not to obey.  You and I will either follow through on what God asks us to do with what is most precious to us- or will we not.

            God never intended nor would have allowed Abraham to follow through on physically harming his son.  God does not support child abuse. 

This was a test.  This request of Abraham was an assessment of his willingness or not to follow through on the request made by God.  God wanted to test whether or not Abraham was willing to obey the most counterintuitive command imaginable. Scripture says very clearly in verse 1, God tested Abraham.  And Abraham passed the test!  Good for him!

God tests you and I for two primary reasons.  1) Placing a challenge before us is an opportunity for God to prove himself to us.  God provided a ram for Abraham to use.  2) having a challenge before us is a chance for us to prove ourselves to God.  Abraham was obedient to God’s tough assignment.

When Abraham raised the knife, God knew that he was all in.  And then God proved Himself as a provider by offering the ram in the thicket.  If Abraham had not gone all in, he would have robbed God of the opportunity to provide a ram.  After all, God cannot reveal God’s faithfulness until we have exercised our faith.  Think about that one!  I will say it again, God cannot reveal God’s faithfulness until we have exercised our faith! 

But, thanks be to God, that Abraham was all in!  And thus God was able to reveal that God is our Jehovah-jireh or Great Provider. 

As we step deeper into Lent and thus move closer to the Cross of Christ- what is your Isaac?  What are you placing your security or identity in?  If Jesus is not your security and identity, then God will test you until you leave that “Isaac” on the altar. 

See you at the all in place,

Pastor Michelle