Day 3: The Lord will provide
The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by Myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore... through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed Me” (Genesis 22:15-18).
Heavenly Father, You have established as Your greatest commandment, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’ (Matthew 22:37, Deuteronomy 6:5). You created us, and in giving us that commandment, You gave us the means of realizing life in its greatest fullness and abundance.
In confirming Your covenant with Abram (later to be called Abraham), You declared to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward” (Genesis 15:1 – NKJV). Abraham believed this in the midst of uncertainties, anxieties, impossibilities. And when the time of testing came, he lived out his belief by his willingness to sacrifice what was dearest to him— the son of promise for whom he had waited so long and so desperately (Genesis 22:1-18).
Because of his willingness to love You above all else— even the son of his heart— because of his willingness to follow you into the deep, lonely mountain of sacrificial obedience, You proved Yourself to be His great reward. You provided a ram for the sacrifice, spared his son and confirmed Your covenant promise: through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed Me” (Genesis 22:15-18).
Lord, we may not have an assignment as weighty as Abraham's, but who are we to measure what You have purposed? You have called us to make an impact in this world. And You alone know all the long-term effects of the work You have entrusted to us.
O may we be found faithful and obedient. Give us the courage to follow You even deep into the mountain of sacrifice, trusting that You are Jehovah-Jireh, and that "On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided" (Genesis 22:14).
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