The Word from God to Abraham;

“And He said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” Genesis 22:2 (KJV)

The son of promise. The son for which Abraham and Sarah had prayed and waited for a long time. For twenty five years they had waited for the promise, and for many years, possibly 30 – 37 years they had enjoyed the presence of Isaac; their son of laughter. Now God’s message, His Word, His command is “…Offer him for a burnt offering…” What a wonderful, glorious God. Doesn’t God know when you are dead, you’re dead? He knows no such thing. He is God of life, not death. When you give to God what He commands you lose nothing; you gain the life of obedience and faith.

The only son whom Abraham loved was Isaac, of course. Now, Abraham had another son by Hagar (chapter 16) a servant from Egypt. This union was without God’s blessing, thus a sinful relationship, and God yet promised to bless Ishmael, and make him a nation of people. He, however, was not the promised son. Isaac, “Laughter” is the promised son. The promised son is the son of Abraham and of Sarah, as God had promised. In being the “only son” is meant that he is the “only son” of God’s promise. Abraham loved Isaac, and God knew this, but did Abraham know that he actually had a greater love for God than he did for Isaac? Did Abraham realize the measure of faith he himself had for God, His word, and His will?

It was most likely very early in the morning when Abraham heard the Word of God. The place, to Abraham is not revealed, but God tells him “…upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” It was in the land of Moriah, which some believe to be in the area of Jerusalem, and the mount upon which Calvary was to be later. The thing is God knows the place and the time that is involved, and we will see that a little later. The thing is we hear a Word from God that is challenging, may even cause some doubt; and when it comes to faith, if there is no doubt what is the need for faith? Faith works through the doubts and fears of life, as Abraham worked through it as he obeyed.

This could seem as a dark event in the life of Abraham, but it is not. It is rather an event of challenging faith. Faith that will prove the heart of a man. Faith that will prove the promise, the power and grace of the Everlasting God. We must remember that in all things God is soveriegn, and will work out all things for our good and His glory. Faith is not “A leap into the dark”, but a walk in the Light.

You may be going through what you deem as THE TEST OF A LIFETIME, just keep walking in the light of the promises and grace of God. Give up all to God, and you gain, and never lose. Jesus said, “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 10:39 (KJV). Also read Mark 8:35; Luke 9:25; and John 12:25. That TEST OF A LIFETIME may just be the power of the glory of God.