Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” …Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Ge.22:1,2 10-12 NIV
Here we see that Heaven is the place from which our trials originate and it is the place that cancels them out when once they are through with us. Not one thing comes into our lives without God’s stamp of approval (that ought to spark some discussion).
Most of us look at this story and think how unjust God was to require such a terrible price from his servant, Abraham. We look at Abraham and ask “What kind of man could have said yes to God?”
I think he must have been a man who understood life and death and Heaven pretty well. He must have had a pretty clear view of the fact that it’s not what goes on down here that really matters. I think he grasped firmly that anything done here can be undone by one word from Him who sits on the throne of eternity. That’s why it says in Hebrews 11 “Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.”
Because Abraham understood how the world worked and what really mattered He was able to stave off the despair we too often feel when faced by the trials of our faith ignited from the throne of Heaven.
Here’s the thing; If we understand what Abraham did… if we keep the things of Heaven and Earth in their proper perspective, we too can remain free from despair.
Let’s pray:
Lord when fiery trials come into my life help me to remember they are just faith builders. Help me not to get bitter. Cause them to make me better…stronger. Help me to keep Heaven in view. Help me to keep You in view. Help me to remember it will be done away with one day by You. On that day help me hear “Well done good and faithful servant.” A-men
Reinventing the We'll 