Genesis 22:5
And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” (NKJV)

Do you trust God with your life?

This passage is often used to describe Jehovah Jireh.  What a story! When Abraham received his command from God; the Bible does not say he stopped and asked God why.

Genesis 22:2-3 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey,… and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. (New King James Version NKJV)

It does not record where He prayed for the life of his son like he did for Sodom and Gomorrah. But, interestingly enough, he told his servants: he and his son were going to worship, and they were coming back. Before Abraham got to the Jehovah Jireh place in his life; he had to have already been in a place of faith and trust.

Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. (New King James Version NKJV)

Now, maybe Abraham thought God would not require Isaac’s life.  He may have even told himself, if God accepted his sacrifice, He would then resurrect Isaac. Though he may not have known how God was going to do it, he was coming back with his son. Abraham was going to the top of the mountain to prostrate himself before God and honor Him for being the one true God. Abraham was going to worship, knowing Isaac was to die.

Genesis 22:5b “The lad and I will go yonder and worship.” (New King James Version NKJV)

Isaac asked his father where the lamb was for the burnt offering (Genesis 22:7). Abraham at that time was over 100 years old and Isaac was a teenager. Isaac had much greater strength and agility and would have given Abraham problems if he did not voluntarily obey and allow himself to be the sacrifice. Yet the passage indicates that Isaac did comply and permitted himself to be placed on the altar, bound and positioned to be sacrificed (Genesis 22:9). Isaac submitted in total obedience to his father’s request of him. In that moment, he trusted his God, not just his father’s God. Abraham was not the only one being tested, Isaac was as well. Isaac had to have a full understanding, reverential awe for, and total trust in the God he served.

Psalms 9:10 And they who know Your name [who have experience and acquaintance with Your mercy] will lean on and confidently put their trust in You, for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek (inquire of and for) You [on the authority of God’s Word and the right of their necessity]. (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition AMPC)

What about you? Are you willing to give up something that you’ve prayed for, labored for, and fasted for if God asks you (Mark 10:21)? Will you only say yes if you have the promise that you will get it back or something better like Job did (Job 42:12)? Will you give up your life (Mark 8:35)? Do you have the faith in God and the trust that if He’s asking you for it, there is a higher purpose (Romans 8:28)? Is trust really trust if it’s not tested (James 1:2-3)? 

Please agree with me as I pray:

Father, God, I have told you so many times that I trust You with my life. Because of this devotional, I had to stop, reflect on what that statement really means, and repent for being so casual about it. There are so many situations/circumstances that have happened where my trust was challenged. Sometimes I met the challenge and sometimes I did not. There will be more in my future. I repent for not taking that statement more seriously. I have never had to face the greatest challenge, to decide if I would give up my life. Do I trust You with my life so much that I am willing to die believing in Your word? I wish I could say yes, without thought and without pause. Father, I have to say, right now, the only way I’ll know for sure, is to be in that situation. Please do what You need to do in me to strengthen my faith and trust because I know I need it. How does a person choose to be a martyr? Do they know they are a martyr before it is time for them to die? I don’t know. I believe I walk close to You, however, I have to be honest with You. Which by the way there’s no reason not to because You know what’s in my heart. I think I would be shaking all over, crying and pleading for my life. I pray I am not ever put in that position. However, should it be Your will and I am faced with martyrdom, draw me closer to You now; so, at the assigned moment, I will choose You…

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Ask the Lord what He wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal His response as described here.