SURRENDER THROUGH SACRIFICE
Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”
Genesis 22:1-2 (NLT)
What’s most precious to you in all the world? If we’re talking possessions, it might be a special edition of some collector’s item. Maybe your car or your home. To go beyond the physical, I’m sure we would all say our loved ones. Parents, spouses, children—these are good gifts from God that should be highly esteemed and treasured.
But do we value them more highly than God Himself?
That’s the question that we see on display in Genesis 22. Abraham, who waited a literal century for his son Isaac, is being tested. This is his trueborn son, the child of the promise, the one through whom God has promised to bring a nation too vast to count. And now God is saying to sacrifice Isaac. How would you respond? You may think you wouldn’t know unless you were in that moment, but I do. I honestly think I’d say no. I’m not proud of it, but as strong as my faith is, I can’t imagine that level of obedience to God.
If you continue to read the rest of the story, which spans the rest of Genesis 22, you see that God ultimately intercedes just as Abraham is about to make the sacrifice. Instead of Isaac, it’s a ram that is sacrificed. This story stands as a crystal-clear foreshadowing of the Father ultimately sacrificing His Son to redeem His people. Where Abraham is stopped at the last moment, God carries through on His sacrifice.
We see Abraham willing to surrender in sacrifice that which is most dear to him. We see the Father ultimately do this on our behalf. So, then, we must ask ourselves—what are we sacrificing for God? He likely hasn’t called you to as radical a scenario as Abraham, but He certainly has called you to sacrifice. Are you willing to be obedient? Jesus said the following in Matthew 16:24- 25 (NLT): Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it.
Give up your own way. Surrender. Sacrifice. Lay down what is yours to take up that which God bestows, which is infinitely richer and more satisfying.
APPLICATION: What is God calling you to sacrifice? Spend some time in solitude and silence, asking Him. Then, take the step that He reveals.
PRAYER: Father, make me willing to obey You. Help me to lay down that which I would value more than You. Be honored in my life, in what I think, say and do. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?