[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_dropcap color=”” boxed=”no” boxed_radius=”8px” class=”” id=””]I[/fusion_dropcap] am intrigued, inspired, and challenged by the faith of Abraham in living by faith in grace. Galatians 3:6 calls christians today to ‘consider Abraham’ because all those who believe are children of Abraham. Romans 4:16 states ‘He is the father of us all’
Perhaps one of the most challenging incidents in Abraham’s steps of faith is recorded in Genesis 22, and commented on in Hebrews 11:17-19. When God tested Abraham in asking him to take his only son Isaac to a mountain; and to worship by sacrificing Isaac. In the story we see the promise of God’s provision fulfilled, and a prophesy of the coming and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the one and only Son of God.
When I see Abraham walking those three days towards the mountain, I reflect on Jesus walking towards the cross; his altar of sacrifice; and, I wonder if Abraham experienced the darkness and struggle Jesus testified to in the garden of Gethsemane; the emotional and mental struggle of sacrifice. Both Isaac and Jesus were the promised son, the son conceived not by natural means but by the power of the Spirit.
When I put myself in Abrahams footsteps; I see that faith is a ‘not my will but your will’ prayer cried out while in emotional turmoil and mental tension. Faith is not being in perfect equilibrium all the time, it is finding peace and joy in troubled, confusing, and painful circumstances. I wonder if like Jesus, Abraham , was in emotional turmoil on that walk, but also like Jesus, resolved to trust the Father; and expressed this in a prayer like; ‘not my will but your will be done’. I wonder if Abraham like Jesus saw the joy set before him and so endured the prospect of sacrificing Isaac on an altar of worship. Faith is not a blunt resignation to the will of God, but a joyful anticipation of the will of the Father.
Hebrews says; Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead. Romans says; Abraham hoped against all hope in a God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. Our God calls into existence what does not exist. We are creative with what exists; but God is creative with what does not exist. Abraham by faith experienced this when he and Sarah were old, their bodies as good as dead, and they were enabled to conceive and give birth to Isaac. Abraham had experienced the creative power of God, now he is about to experience the God who gives life to the dead. This is our God, the God of hope, promise and goodness; who calls into being what does not exist; and gives life to the dead. When we are as good as dead, God does not give up on us, write us off, but gives life. Living hope that endures for the joy set before us, not from blunt resignation and obligation.
Romans 12:1 calls on all believers to respond to the mercy of God by offering themselves as ‘living sacrifices’. Isaac was a ‘living sacrifice’, it was as if Abraham received him back from the dead. He was not only the miracle baby, but the resurrected son. Isaac is a picture of us who believe today.
Isaac was born not by natural means but by the power of the Spirit. Believers are born again by the power of the Spirit. Then comes a moment when our Father tests us. He asks us to present our whole spirit, soul, and body before him as a living sacrifice. Like Isaac all our promise paid out on an altar in response to God’s mercy, as our reasonable offering of worship, and only what the ‘Lord provides’ becomes part of our future. When a believer offers themself as a living sacrifice God becomes not only our main reference point; but our only reference point. He becomes not one of our hopes, but our only hope. He becomes not a significant reason for how we live our life; but the only reason. We only want his will. Why? Because we have seen the incredible richness and wonder of his mercies, and we cling to nothing but the Lord. We reason that our God can call into existence what does not exist, and raise the dead. So the life we now live as living sacrifices; is as if we were raised from the dead. What does it look like to review everything from the viewpoint of one who has been raised from the dead? This is our call and challenge!
Scripture references: Genesis 22, Romans 4, Galatians 4:28-29. Hebrews 11:17-19, Romans 12:1, Romans 6:3-4.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]