“ABRAHAM & ISAAC” - Clover Sites



ABRAHAM & ISAAC

Genesis 22:1-14

Bible Stories We Remember Series

July 24, 2016

Pastor Nathan J. Thompson

Can you think of the most difficult test you have taken in your lifetime? Was it the SAT or the ACT? Perhaps it was your nursing boards; your test to be an EMT; your test to be an accountant; your tests and dissertation to get your master's degree in teaching? What has been the most difficult test you have ever taken?

For some of you, of course, your most difficult test has been totally unrelated to school or your occupation. Your greatest test has been going through a divorce in your marriage; facing a life-altering illness; fighting to gain victory over an addiction; suffering the pain of the tragic death of a loved one. These are tests that you can never study for; can never be truly prepared for.

Yet throughout one's life these tests can either make or break a person. They can either challenge an individual to learn and become stronger as a person or they can send that person into a downward spiral. They can either make someone a bitter person or a better person.

Today the Bible story we remember is that of Abraham and his son Isaac. Most of you I'm sure remember this story. Abraham you may recall was given the promise by God that he would be the Father of many nations; his offspring were to be more numerous than the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore.

Yet there was a major problem with this. Abraham was about 100 years old and his wife, Sarah, was around 90. Obviously this was a major test for Abraham since people over 90 years old do not generally give birth to biological children. In fact it's is pretty much impossible.

The amazing thing is that as Abraham continued to trust completely in God in the midst of this challenge that seemed insurmountable, one day God did answer his prayer. Sarah in her old age became pregnant and gave birth to a miraculous gift from God, Isaac.

Therefore Abraham went through this test of his trust in God and he appeared to pass with flying colors. Oh yes there was Abraham's time of doubting that led to a fling with the servant girl, Hagar, and to the birth of Ishmael. Yet he learned from his mistakes; stayed focused on God; was greatly blessed.

However this was just a prelude to an even more challenging test. When Isaac was just a young boy God told Abraham, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”

Just imagine this son whom Abraham had waited for so long; this son who was a miracle of God himself; this son who was to enable grandchildren and descendents for Abraham; this son which was part of God’s covenant promise. Abraham was to kill and sacrifice this son.

Amazingly Abraham packs up Isaac and heads to the mountains near Moriah. If there was one thing Abraham had learned from the other tests he had gone through, it doesn’t do much good to not listen to God. Therefore he goes not letting his sad feelings overwhelm him; he goes trusting completely in God.

When they arrived at that certain spot they began to build an altar and collect wood for the sacrifice. Isaac then asks his father, “The fire and wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Can you feel the intensity of this question? How would this loving father respond to his only son?

“Abraham answered, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering.’” Amazing, isn’t it? He is still trusting God in the midst of the most intensive pressure and pain there is. He has not given up hope that God can bring something good out of this travesty.

Abraham binds his son Isaac with rope; lays him on the altar stacked with wood; takes his knife; raises it in the air in order to do this unthinkable deed. Ah, but just as Abraham was a millisecond away from thrusting this knife into Isaac’s heart God calls to him.

“Abraham, Abraham! ‘Here I am,’ he replied. ‘Do not lay a hand on the boy,’” says God. “Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Then Abraham saw a ram caught in a bush and he sacrificed it instead of his son.

Abraham proceeded to do the very thing that was the center and foundation of his life and faith; he worshipped and offered himself to God. That place then became known as, “The Lord Will Provide.” It was a reminder that in the midst of good times; in the times of challenging tests God does and will provide.

Therefore is it any wonder that Abraham was often referred to (by both Old and New Testament writers) as the Father of our Faith? This was definitely not some honorary degree simply bestowed as a formality. No, it was Abraham’s faith throughout these most difficult tests which showed how deeply and completely he trusted and believed in God.

It is interesting to note in our present day life how the majority of people seem to have the attitude that they would like to avoid hard challenges; to bypass anything too painful. In fact, a common prayer today is that the things in our lives always be happy; healthy; problem free.

Also living in our affluent country (where abundant blessings abound) we often complain if school is too tough; if everyone doesn’t get a trophy or award; if the challenges or expectations at work make us uncomfortable. When it comes to God and our faith we often expect him to be there at our beckoning call; we expect him to somehow make our lives even more blessed.

Certainly this is one of the main reasons why Christianity (and Christian faith) are declining in the most prosperous countries while those coming to faith in Jesus in many third world countries is exploding in numbers. If God is just a good feeling; if church is just a nice social club; if we can somehow by ourselves maneuver our way around problems—then why do we need God?

If you can rely mostly on science; on self-help books; on money to buy a better life then why do you need God? Yet without God; without faith in him in the challenges and tests of life so many simply grow bitter; many never grow in their character. Without God we surely flounder.

Have you ever noticed when people are going through problems/struggles how they are often drawn closer to people who have also been through similar challenges/problems? They are drawn closer to people who have been through the fire; have grown through their experience; have struggled in life yet are making it.

An important truth is that when one is going through a test or major challenge that simple cliché’s; simple easy advice are not very helpful. What is really needed is someone who truly understands the helplessness and pain; one who can offer a strong hand and word of hope.

In my own life it has often been in the most challenging times; in the times when I have been filled with the most pain and feelings of hopelessness that I have grown the most. The reason is that in those times I have needed to reach out to God more in prayer and trust.

When things are going well; when everything is just kind of flowing along I so often fail to rely on; to trust in God like I should. I often simply take God for granted; my prayers are mostly some nice and pious words spoken without much thinking.

However in the fire; in the depth of a crisis polite and flowery words don’t cut it. It is then that my self-righteous attitude has to be shattered; I then need to look to God as my only hope. It is then that I need to reach out to God in my weakness; to rely on him as my strength.

In these times of challenge and feelings of devastation I also need to rely more on others. It is at these times that I need to admit that I can’t do it myself; that I need the counsel, support, prayers, and help of others. Reaching out and asking for help is never a sign of weakness. With others walking with us there is true strength.

The executive coach I had for five-plus years worked with pastors and churches for 25 years as a senior consultant with the Alban Institute. He often reminded me that it is only in times of conflict and struggle that people; churches; organizations grow. In fact, he often said that with the right steps and help this can often be a quantum leap of growth. It is amazing what God can do when we are tested to the point of having to grow.

Granted there are some who fail to grow; some who rather take a quantum leap into bitterness. Some certainly choose anger over resolution; blaming others rather than focusing on their own self; focusing on the past rather than positively moving ahead; accusing others while not taking ownership of their own issues. With them the tests of life simply make them bitter, not better.

Abraham then shows us how even in the midst of the most devastating and challenging tests to trust in God. He shows us how God can lead us through these times to greener pastures on the other side. Abraham shows us how to truly worship and praise God from the depths of whatever we are going through. God has surely promised to be with us always to the end of time.

So what test or challenge are you going through or facing today? May you know God’s presence and help. And for those of you who have come through and have learned from your various tests and challenges, who are you ministering to and supporting today?

May God use each one of us and our community of faith at Messiah to support and help each other in the challenges we are all sure to face. May we all take a quantum leap of growth through these times; may we like Abraham be examples to others of faith and trust in God.

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