Hebrews 11:17-19

Hebrews 11:17-19 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.

Abraham was willing to sacrifice his only son, his last hope of God fulfilling his promise to him of many descendants. By faith he believed that somehow many sons and daughters would come from the death of his only son. He chose to believe God would fulfill his promise regardless of the circumstance. This situation depicts the ultimate test of faith. Abraham believed that out of nothing (Isaac's death) God would make something, that from a negative God would create a positive. Similar to our belief in the creation story: By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Abraham's faith stood the test of time: now not only the Jews call Abraham their father, but millions of Christians throughout the ages have called Abraham their father of faith. As Jacqueline's grandma used to say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. The results of faith are seen in the outcome.

God provided a sacrifice, so Abraham did not have to sacrifice Isaac, but mentally he had already sacrificed Isaac, for he obediently followed God's instructions to the last detail: Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. As Jesus told his followers, God reads our minds, He knows our thoughts, we cannot fool him with a pretense of faith. God knew Abraham would carry out his orders; therefore, he sent an angel to stop him from harming the boy: “Abraham! Abraham!” “Do not lay a hand on the boy.” “Do not do anything to him. (Genesis 22:11-12) Abraham followed God even though his instructions seemed contrary to his promise, his covenant with Abraham. He chose to remain faithful to God in a situation where he could have concluded God was being unfaithful to him.

Do we willingly follow God regardless of the circumstances or do we fall off the track of faith when faced with events we do not understand? Are we willing by faith to travel to the end of the track, or do our minds sink into befuddlement and confusion? One day we believe and the next day we do not; one day we think God is near and the next day we doubt his existence. The Bible describes the latter state by saying a double-minded person is unstable in all his ways and will receive nothing from the Lord. Hebrews 11:6 states, Anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Abraham believed God would reward him for his obedience in sacrificing Isaac. He knew God was good and would fulfill his promise, even if it meant bringing life from death, hope from despair, something from nothing.

How is your faith? Can you believe for good to come from chaos, or do you stand, waiting to detect something good with your physical senses before believing in God's work in you and your situation? Do you believe He will bless you as well as your descendants? Faith opens the door to God's work; unbelief closes the door to God's power and presence. Even Jesus was limited by a lack of faith in his own hometown: And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. (Matthew 13:58) Faith unlocks the door to God's domain as it stretches the horizons beyond what we can see, moving us from a land we know to a land we have neither seen nor experienced. Abraham is the father of faith because he set his affections on God, obeying and believing in him. He chose to put his whole mind, soul, and strength into following God. We must do likewise, following God with everything within us. We cannot be like the swimmer who puts one toe in the water to test the temperature before entering the contest. We cannot live by our senses or by a faithless belief system. No, we jump into the river of life by faith and commence swimming with our eyes on the prize of the high calling of Christ Jesus. Today, my brothers and sisters in Christ, "JUMP IN!" The victory is yours by faith.