June 20, 2012
A Fulfilled Promise
By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.
Abraham fully trusted God’s promise that Isaac would continue his bloodline. He knew that somehow Isaac would live to fulfill God’s promise. Abraham believed that if he sacrificed his son, God would somehow return Isaac to life.
“By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, ‘It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.’ Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death” (Hebrews 11:17-19).
Abraham wasn’t worried because he fully trusted that God’s plan would happen—no matter what obstacles occurred. Genesis 22:5 says it all: “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.’” We will come back. Even as he prepared the sacrifice, Abraham was confident that both he and his son would return alive.
God kept His promise, and Isaac did live to produce heirs. In verse 13, we see that God provided the solution—a ram caught in the thicket.
When God has a plan, He will fulfill it. What is God calling you to sacrifice as a test of your faith in Him? Is it your reputation or your net worth? Is it a relationship or an ambition? God wants us to give up anything that distracts us from Him.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for the reminder today that You will fulfill Your promises and plans. Help me to trust You enough to be willing to sacrifice anything You ask of me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19)
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