In Genesis the Lord tests Abraham and tells him to offer his son, Issac, whom he loves so, to the Lord. They make their way up the mountain and Issac is bound on the altar of sacrifice and Abraham reaches out for the knife to slaughter his son...
"Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” Genesis 22:10-12
Abraham was going to slaughter his son as an offering to the Lord. The Lord told him to and Abraham obeyed. By faith, Abraham trusted in the Lord, believed Lord was good, is better than anything (even his child), and that He keeps His promises!
More times than not I think I'm smarter than God. I think I know what is best for me. When He does not give me a tangible response I turn to my gods-taking good things and elevating them to a place they do not belong.These things rob me of joy. These things rob me of more of The One True God. How serious Abraham was walking by faith, trusting the Lord, and giving up something so dear to him to the Lord and for the Lord!? Sit on that seriousness.
Think of your possessions and deepest desires. The ones that you long for, the ones you strive for, the ones you love, the ones you don't trust the Lord with; if those were gone, if the Lord told you to offer those up as a sacrifice to him, would your heart reflect a life of surrender to the Lord with open hands? Did you think "No, I can't possibly give this up, I love it way too much." Or maybe "Well...look at all the the stuff I've given the Lord, he has that already. I'll keep this stuff over here for myself, yeah, He can't touch that."
"For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." Deuteronomy 4:24
Friends, He is not jealous for the things that you hold tightly in your hands-He is jealous for you. He wants every part of you. And that's great news! I want the Lord to have all of my life. I am the worst god and so are the gods I make. They lack in mercy. They never ever satisfy me. They lack in wisdom. They are not for me. Their love towards me is not steadfast. They rob me. They lead me to destruction. What a great God to want all of me for His glory! What. a. great. Father.
May the Holy Spirit lead you to repentance and stir a rightful desire in you're heart to lay those things down daily before the Lord with open hands saying to the Lord "Yes, whatever I have is yours; my life, my deepest desires. My hands are open to you, oh God. If it hinders me and I don't get more of you; then I don't want it."
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