When they arrived at the place that God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood.  He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar on top of the wood.  Then Abraham reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son.

But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said,  “Abraham, Abraham!”

He replied, “Here I am.”

Then He said, “Do not lay a hand  on the boy or do anything to him.  For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me.”

Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught in the thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son.

And Abraham named that place the Lord Will Provide, so today it is said:  “It will be provided on the Lord’s mountain.”     Genesis 22:9-14  HCSB

If you read today’s scripture passage and don’t know the back story, it may not make much sense to you.  So allow me to explain.  You see Abraham and his wife Sarah had prayed for many years for God to bless them with a child.  At one point Sarah grew tired of waiting on God and instructed Abraham to sleep with her servant. He did, the servant gave birth to a boy, and disastrous consequences followed which still impact our world today. But that’s a whole other blog.  In their old age, long after their child bearing years, God blessed them with a son.  Abraham was 100 years old when Sarah gave birth to their son Isaac.  Now before Isaac was born, God made this covenant with Abraham.  He told Abraham that the son born to him and Sarah would father nations and kings (Genesis 17:16).  But we fast forward to chapter 22 and God instructs Isaac to do the unthinkable.  God tells Isaac to take this young man that he had waited so long to have and sacrifice him as a burnt offering.  Now, right here is where I would be calling a time out.  I would be thinking that I must have not heard God correctly.  But Abraham did not question God.  He simply did as he was told.  That’s faith my friend.

Abraham had a long history of trusting God.  He had lived a life of faith.  The story of Abraham began in Genesis 12 when Abraham was still Abram.  God changed his name in chapter 17.  In chapter 12 God tells Abram to leave his home land and his relatives and go to a land that God will show him.  He tells him that He will make him into a great nation.  Abram obeyed God then and Abraham is obeying God now.  He stepped out on faith many years ago and left his homeland.  But now God has asked him to sacrifice his son.

Now let me say during this time of lent I have a hard time giving up a brownie but here is Abraham fully prepared to give his son to God. But just before he draws his son’s blood, God stops him.  As if to say, this was only a test.  And there before his eyes is this ram.  This ram is caught in the thicket.  God is holding it there for him.  He doesn’t have to chase after it.  God provided it for him at just the right time.

I don’t know about you, but I have found myself in impossible situations where I have been trying desperately to help someone I love and I have seen the Lord provide.  I have seen Him make a way.  I know that when I am my most desperate that He is there to lend a helping hand.

When we are faithful, God is faithful to provide what we need.  Growing up Baptist, I never observed lent.  I have however fasted.  By this I mean I have given up things like television in order to spend more quality time with God. I have taken time to draw closer to Him.

Abraham was in a close relationship with God.  He trusted God wholeheartedly.  He was willing to give what meant the most to him.  Are you?  Are you willing to give your all and trust in God to provide all you need?

If you are, then know that your needs will be met.  Know that God will bless you beyond measure.  Also know that no amount of partying or pleasure seeking will come close to the peace and joy that God will provide.

Trust in Him today.  Give Him your all. Let Him show you what He can do.

Have a great day!