Daily Devotion, June 6, 2020

Devotion: Read Genesis 22:1-18.

  For many years, this story troubled me deeply. Would God really put Abraham through this ordeal? Would God put Isaac through this? Especially when I looked through the lense of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, this story does not seem to fit.

   However, there is a depth to this scene that is inspiring and instructive. God is still developing a relationship with Abraham. At the beginning, Abraham was willing to trust this God enough to take all his family and possessions and strike out on a journey to wherever this God would take him. There is much riding on this journey for God, and God needs to know if Abraham can be trusted as they move forward. Abraham’s trust in God had been strengthened when God provided this promised son. Now comes another test of that trust. And just like at the beginning, Abraham again completely trusts God, though the future suddenly looks grim.

  Maybe the most fascinating part of this whole story is God admitting not knowing something. Only when Abraham is obviously about to go through with the sacrifice of his son does God know of Abraham’s complete trust (vs. 12 - “Now I know….”) God knows that this relationship with Abraham is solid for this journey into the future, for the blessing of the whole earth.

  

  Our relationship with God is to be an ever-deepening trust. I am reminded of the chorus of one of my all-time favorite songs of the Church (written by Louisa Stead in 1882): “Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust him more!” Personal Worship Option: Pray for the courage to trust God more and more each day, no matter what happens or what you are called to do.