This week, I read where Abraham took Isaac to the mountain to be sacrificed. Abraham had everything. He had land, silver, cattle, camels, servants, and God’s blessing that multiplied his wealth over and over. You would think God would want Abraham to sacrifice some of his best animals to follow God’s sacrificial system for the forgiveness of sin. Sacrificing Isaac a person seems evil and wrong. Why would God call Abraham to murder his son?
First, God never intended for Isaac to be sacrificed. God knew something… Abraham’s wealth did not even begin to compare to the value of Isaac. Isaac was not only his son, but so much more. God had promised that His descendants would be as numerous as the stars, kings would be among them, and the whole world would be blessed through Him. Isaac was the promise of God and God asked Abraham to kill the promise. I can only imagine the inner turmoil in Abraham.
Genesis 22:3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.
Abraham had a lot of stuff but the stuff did not own him. Abraham had a promise from God and God wanted to know if the promise owned him.
God has asked me to give amounts of money I did not think I could afford. He asked me to give up scholarships to a sport I loved to play. He has asked me to give away a vehicle when I did not have money to replace it (I rode my bike for months). He has asked me to let single moms live in our home rent free. All of those were not easy to do, but when God asked me to lay down the dream He put in my heart I was crushed. I had laid down everything, but God knew there was something that owned me heart. With tear filled eyes I laid it down and told God I wanted to know and walk with Him more than I wanted the dream to be fulfilled.
God does not want to rival for our hearts. He wants to sit in the place pf highest value in our lives and does not want to share. He is a jealous God and worthy of our hearts. Jesus asked men to leave their homes, jobs, sell everything and give money to the poor, and some to lay down their very lives.
So what owns your heart? What would you not lay down? Cars? house? Money? Job? Dream? Social media? Status? God does not want to rival for your heart and has more for you in sacrifice than this world has to offer. I challenge you to go to prayer right now and ask God what owns your heart! If it is money go give some away. If it is social media take an extended break. If it is a car sell it or give it away. Go let Jesus show you who He is. Abraham received a promised due to his faithfulness to God. God wants to bless you!
Recklessly, obsessively following Jesus
Brandon Sereg
