Laying Down My Isaac

Today’s Journal Reading
Genesis 20-22
Luke 8

Genesis 22:2-5 “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."
Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled 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. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."

Observation:
Abraham and Sarah now have a son – miraculously born – a gift from God – a promise fulfilled - the beginning of a nation that will be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on shores. This is the son that God asks Abraham to sacrifice. We don’t know if Abraham wrestled with this in his mind and heart, but the very next day – early in the morning, he set out with two servants and his son – He certainly didn’t wait around or consult with anyone – he heard from God – and he obeyed – even though he didn’t understand the reason or the outcome. Abraham had a solid faith – and trusted God so much that even when he left his servants at the bottom of the mountain, he told them “we” will come back to you – both he and Isaac. He did not doubt His God – even when it didn’t make sense – even when it meant giving up the dream that God placed in his heart.

Application:
I am starting a Bible Study tomorrow night on “surrender”. I will be asking myself through out this study, “What is my Isaac?” “Who is my Isaac?” And as God speaks to me, and gives me specific instructions on what to sacrifice, how to sacrifice, when to sacrifice and where to sacrifice – I pray that I will be like Abraham – that I will start the journey of surrendering early on – as soon as possible – and immediately in my heart.

Casting Crowns sings a song entitled “Somewhere in the Middle”. One of the lines to the song says “But will we trade our dreams for His.” At this point, in my relationship with the Lord, I could say – “Yes, I would trade my dreams for His”. But what would I do if God asked me to sacrifice the dream that He placed in my heart? Would I lay it on the altar right away - at all? Will I trust Him enough to be like Abraham?

Dear God - Whatever you ask me to sacrifice, I want to willingly give it up right away, and trust that regardless of what happens, I can say “we will return to you.” You will provide – and that is all I need to know.