When People Of Faith Are Tested
The Ultimate Test of Faith: Are You Ready to Surrender It All?
Have you ever been asked to give up something you cherish deeply? Something you’ve longed for, prayed for, and finally received? Imagine being in Abraham’s shoes when God asked him to sacrifice his son Isaac – the very child God had promised him. It’s a story that challenges us to examine our own faith and willingness to surrender to God, trusting in God’s Provision.
As we dive into Genesis 22:1-19, we’ll explore what it truly means to have a life completely surrendered to the Lord. We’ll see what happens when believers are tested and how we can respond with unwavering faith, relying on God’s Provision.
The Test of Faith
“After these things God tested Abraham,” (Genesis 22:1). This wasn’t just any test – it was the ultimate test of faith. God called Abraham to do something unimaginable:
“Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you” (Genesis 22:2).
Can you imagine the weight of those words? Abraham had waited decades for this promised son, and now God was asking him to give Isaac up. It’s important to note that Abraham didn’t know this was a test. He simply heard God’s command and chose to obey, trusting in God’s Provision.
Surrendering Our Most Prized Possessions
This story challenges us to consider: Are we willing to surrender our most prized possessions to the Lord?
I want you to do something. Reach out your hands and imagine your most prized possession sitting right there in front of you. It might be a relationship, a business, a child, your health, or your dreams. Now, do this – it’s the Lord’s. Don’t hold anything back from the Lord. Trust in God’s Provision.
Why would we think we should keep back anything the Lord has given us? He’s the one who gave it to us. It’s His. We’re merely stewards.
Trusting God to Provide
Despite the difficulty of the task, Abraham demonstrated remarkable faith. He “rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac” (Genesis 22:3). He didn’t hesitate or try to reason his way out of obedience, because he believed in God’s Provision.
Even as they approached the place of sacrifice, Abraham told his servants, “I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you” (Genesis 22:5). He believed that somehow, God would provide.
The Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:19 that Abraham “considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead.” That’s the kind of faith God is calling us to have – a faith that believes God can do the impossible, showing us God’s Provision.
God’s Provision
Just as Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac, God intervened. “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me” (Genesis 22:12).
God provided a ram caught in a thicket as a substitute sacrifice. Abraham named that place “The Lord will provide” (Jehovah Jireh). This story foreshadows how God would ultimately provide His own Son, Jesus, as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, underscoring God’s Provision.
Life Application: Growing in Faith and Surrender
- Identify Your “Isaac”: What’s the most precious thing in your life? Are you willing to surrender it to God if He asks?
- Practice Daily Surrender: Start each day by offering everything to God – your time, talents, relationships, and possessions.
- Trust in God’s Provision: When facing challenges, remember Abraham’s faith. Believe that God will provide, even when you can’t see how.
- Obey Promptly: Like Abraham, be quick to obey God’s leading, even when it doesn’t make sense to you.
- Grow Through Tests: Recognize that God may test your faith to help you grow. View challenges as opportunities to deepen your trust in Him.
Remember, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). If God gave His very best for us, we can trust Him with everything in our lives, knowing that we can rely on God’s Provision.
May we, like Abraham, be people of faith who surrender everything to God, trust Him to provide, and enjoy the assurance of His blessings and God’s Provision.
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Doing God’s Will
Rooted in Ruin
The Grace Of God
Patterns For Growth
What’s Your Focus
We hope you enjoyed the sermon and would love to see you in person. Plan your visit to Community Baptist Church in Spring Hill, Tennessee today!