Genesis 22, Matthew 13

Wednesday, Dec 26, 2007 - Brandon Hatmaker (Genesis 22, Matthew 13)


(Genesis 22)

We are told throughout scripture that we will have trials and we will have testing of our faith. While Satan tests us to bring us towards sin, we must always remember that God’s testing of us is only to build our faith. Scripture also reminds us that we will never be tempted beyond what we can stand.

1 Corinthians 10:13 says that, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

God knew the amazing strength of Abraham’s faith.

It’s interesting that in my flesh, and as a parent, I want to get frustrated with God that He would request such a thing of Abraham. So I am reminded of James’ words that we are even tempted by our own flesh, enticed, and dragged away. As I read this story, I am tempted to give way to my selfishness. We have to trust scripture, he WILL provide a way out so that we can stand up under it.

It’s so hard for us to imagine this scenario because our faith would surely fall short. But we most not forget the amazing faith of Abraham. He trusted so greatly in God’s ways and provision that he didn’t question the fact that the covenant God had made through him was surely supposed to be fulfilled through Isaac. Three days of travel, and not one word of question. Until the question cane from Isaac when he said, “Father, where’s the lamb?” Abraham’s response, “God will provide”.

So the story of Genesis 22 is an amazing testimony of the Abraham already had and a building of that faith. We often fail to even mention the faith foundation it probably built in Isaac.

So what was Abraham thinking during this experience? Did he know God would never ask him to follow through with this act? Did he know that if he did, God would provide another that would fulfill his covenant with him? Hebrews 11 gives us some insight to his thoughts in verse 19, “Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.”

Bottom line, Abraham knew that death held no boundaries for our God. He had a faith that went beyond the grave. What an amazing faith.

What small thing do we have today that God is asking of us through faith? What do we have that does not shrink in comparison to what He accomplished through the lives of Abraham and Isaac?

Is it to make some unbelievable sacrifice in our personal lives? Is it to forgive someone who’s done something to us that seems unforgivable? Is it to give of ourselves to our faith and to others in ways we’ve never given? Whatever it may be let us keep perspective: Our God knows what He is doing. His ways are higher than our ways.

So then, let’s take it full circle and remember the word picture of what was to come. God himself offered up his son. He did not stop, but he turned away from His only son, that we might have life.

Thank you God that you provide life through Christ. Father, teach us perspective in this life as we go through trials and tests of faith. Help us to remember that you are still the God who is not bound by death.

(Matthew 13)

Verse 23 says, “But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

I pray that each one of us would put due diligence to being the soil that receives God’s Word to it’s fullest extent. That we would look into God’s Living Word, pray for the Spirit’s leading, that we might not only hear, but understand, and live it. We will each have moments of doubt and confusion, and when it comes, may we seek God’s revelation. May we turn away from the selfish desires of our own mind and allow God to reign sovereign in our intentions and hearts. May we celebrate His mystery and find refuge in the fact that our God’s foolishness is wiser than our wisdom.