Here I Am

Scripture – Genesis 22:1-5: Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) This story is filled with powerful lessons of faith and commitment. I think it all begins with Abraham’s open-ended response to God’s call – “Here I am.” I can never be sure where that kind of response will lead. There are many days God leads me down unexpected and sometimes unexplored paths. What’s striking here is Abraham raises no question. He simply does what God tells him to do. Had he matured in his faith to the point where he really trusted God to work things out? After all, he did tell the servants, “We will come back to you.”

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I can’t imagine what was going through Abraham’s mind as he saddled the donkey, cut the wood and began the journey. Whatever he thought, he acted as God directed. I will imitate that kind of faith today. I don’t know what Christ has in store for me, but I will be open and I will follow His lead.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord Jesus, I write these words boldly this morning. Give me boldness as the day unfolds to carry through with this commitment. You are the best way – the only way – I have. Thank you for that.