Hebrews 11:17
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac; and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son;
Every once in a while, God will put a test before us. We don’t know why, but I can guess. We often get so obsessed with things (or people) that these distract our focus. An example of this is an animal may be focused on it’s prey to it’s own hurt. It knows it’s entering too close to civilization, but it’s hungry. It may forfeit it’s life in the process. So, also we might be focused to our own detriment. This is the part that we often don’t know.
God wants to work character within us. Part of it involves these tests.
Abraham is a model how to respond. Just do it. The more we ponder and question, the harder it becomes. Sometimes it never gets done.
Another example is the rich young ruler from the New Testament. He wanted to follow Jesus. His challenge was to sell everything and follow Jesus. He walked away sad. He may have eventually obeyed. We also don’t know if God would have wanted him to follow through. As we see here, Abe didn’t have to finish. It was the willingness that God was after.
Lord, help us to be willing to obey. Help us not to have such a strong attachment that we can’t separate. We need Your help with this.
I think of the man that questioned Jesus in Mark 9:23, “If you can, take pity on us. Jesus responded, ‘If you can? All things are possible…’ Then the man said, I believe, help my unbelief.” We struggle with these things. He will help us. Thank You, God. Some of these things are too much. You help us.
You told us in Matt 11:30 that “your burden is easy and your yoke is light.” We’ll still have work to do, but we can handle it. Thank you!