Tuesdays with Abraham

Read Genesis 22:1-2 – Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (NKJV)

The word “test” sounds frightening no matter who says it. But when the test is coming from God, that seems particularly intimidating, doesn’t it? But that’s what’s ahead for Abraham. Most of us know the story. Abraham will be called on to sacrifice his son—a test that ends happily as we will see in future weeks. But the idea that God gives us tests isn’t something we’re often prepared to face. We want to think of God as our Provider and our Forgiver, not as the One who calls us to the exam room. Still, the fact that He tests us shows that He has a plan for our lives—that He’s not just a bystander waiting to give us what we think we need. He has a purpose in what we become, and He tests us to help encourage us and measure our progress toward goals greater than we can know.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.