OFFERING ISAAC
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.’ He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back”. Hebrews 11:17-19, ESV
Theme: Faith and obedience are an offering we can all bring.
BY FAITH AND OBEDIENCE
“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac” (Hebrews 11:17a, ESV). The things God asks me to “offer up” include control, resources, time, pride, satisfaction, money, favorite things, fashion, and status. My son doesn’t even make the list—or does he?
When I consider my children, little images of myself, I don’t offer them up. I try to dress them like me. I teach them my “best” qualities. I enroll them in activities I enjoy. I feel proud when they succeed, dejected when they fail, and concerned with how they reflect on me. In those moments, God whispers that my children are His, made in His image, and that the unfair expectations I have of my children aren’t healthy or honoring. Faith and obedience as a parent means offering up my children to God’s will and plan. This is difficult, especially when I’m afraid God’s plan won’t match up with my own. If God presented a scenario like the one featuring Abrahan and Isaac, I certainly would have been hesitant and afraid. Would I have had faith to obey?
OFFERING
When I offer my money to God, I believe that He is trustworthy. It seems silly because God does not need my approval. He could create or take all He needs. However, He requests my contribution, not because He needs it, but because I need this act of obedience. God didn’t need a sacrifice of Isaac. God wanted to build big faith in Abraham. When God challenges me to offer something, what He is really doing is building something—me.
OBEY
Obedience is difficult for me. I’m prone to negotiation and debate. This is not helpful when my understanding is limited, and God’s is infinite. Lately, I have been trying to celebrate a weekly, regular Sabbath. In theory, it sounds easy. It is a pleasure to rest and focus on God and rejuvenation, nourishment, and family. Yet obedience, even when it includes self-imposed limitations, is difficult for me; even when the things I am limiting allow me rest and freedom. What I miss out on in order to observe a Sabbath is nothing compared to the benefits gained. I know this and yet my faith is not great enough. I worry. I disobey. I seek forgiveness. I wonder if I'll ever consistently get a rhythm in place.
Make It Personal: What is God asking you to offer up? Your son? No, He provided that sacrifice for you. However, could it be (like it is for me) expectations or fears around the people and outcomes you can’t and shouldn’t control? Your Saturday? A few dollars? Whatever it is, pray today for the faith to offer it willingly and obediently.
Pray: God thank You for building my faith through obedience. Your plans are always good, even when I don’t understand them one bit. Help me to obey You in the small things, regularly, so that I will build faith for big things as they arise. You are a good Father, generous and loving. I believe this and I trust You. Help me to willingly obey You. Amen.
Read: 1 Samuel 15:22; Deuteronomy 28:1; Romans 6:16
Weekly Memory Verse: “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7, ESV