“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.” Genesis 22:12
People treasure their possessions, whether physical things or other people. Many are known to hoard their things, refusing to ever part with them, having a house stuffed with things they have accumulated over the years.
Some will hold these things because of memories. Others hold on to them because of the hard work to get them and their often monetary value.
God had asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son, whom he waited for ninety years to get. As Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac, God stopped him saying that He now knew that Abraham feared Him and would not withhold anything back from Him.
It is easy for people to claim to believe in and follow God. Those are just mere words with no real action. It is an altogether different thing to make that same claim and follow up with sacrifice something dear to the heart.
There are many things that people hold onto that are not necessarily bad or sinful, but just things or even people. However, many will place those things or other people above God. Some will allow God to do anything He wants as long as He does not touch certain things. These things become idols in the life of a believer.
If God is to be Lord, Master, Savior, King of one’s life, then He must be all of those things in every area of one’s life. Everything must take second place to God and His will knowing that God will provide above and beyond all that is asked and needed.
God may give back the item sacrificed, or He may give something better, but either way He will provide.
Over the years of your life, you have accumulated things and friendships and relationships. Ask yourself how important these things are when compared up to holding onto and obeying God.
It is easy to get caught up in those things and put God to the side, but do not allow yourself to do so. Let God be your highest and greatest possession in your life. All these things will pass away at some point, but God never will.
Give God everything you have and trust Him to provide all that you need.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will see God’s hand of provision in your life; that you will allow God to have all that you possess; that you will put God first above all others and things in your life; and that you will trust God to provide all that you need.
Leave a Reply