Flying Colors
Opening Prayer
Loving Father, I thank You and worship You as the One who provides for all my needs so very well.
Read Genesis 22:9-19
[9] When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. [10] Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. [11] But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. [12] “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” [13] Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. [14] So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” [15] The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time [16] and said, “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, [17] I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, [18] and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” [19] Then Abraham returned to his servants, and they set off together for Beersheba. And Abraham stayed in Beersheba. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
How did Abraham pass the test? How did God respond?If the angel had not called out his name at that precise moment, I am quite sure that Abraham would have followed through and killed his son. God is certainly satisfied on this point (16). Knowing that Abraham’s love for him outweighs absolutely everything else, the way for blessing is open wide (17). God had no desire for human blood. He was not sadistically toying with Abraham’s emotional and mental health. He needed to know–and he needed Abraham to know–that he came first. What does it mean to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds and all our strength? For each of us it will be a different idol that needs releasing. Jesus challenged the rich young ruler to give away his possessions. He asked his disciples to leave their homes to follow him. Abraham was challenged to place his own son on an altar. What is it that vies for that place of supremacy in our devotion? Whatever it is, may we offer it up on the altar to the Lord, just as Abraham did.
Apply
Is there anything that you should offer on the altar to God? Is anything challenging God for your devotion?
Closing prayer
Lord, You held back nothing from me, not even Your own Son, and You deserve everything from me in return.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.