Genesis 21-24

God follows through on His promises.  Always.  Abraham's faith is contagious, and others can see God at work in his life in everything he does.  God's favor is very obvious.  In fact, Abraham's relationship with God spills over and influences those around him.   In Genesis 21-24, Abraham is finally blessed with the son he and Sarah have always wanted.  Hagar and Ishmael are sent away, but God is with them too.  Even King Abimelek sees God's power through Abraham, and it inspires him to live in peace with Abraham and his people.  Abraham trusts God with everything that he has, and God shows us again and again that He will not let him down.  God rewards obedience.

Abraham's trust in God inspires me.  I mean, there was no question in my mind that Abraham was a good and faithful man.  He had already proved that to me in the way he picked up his family and started over in a new land for God.  It wasn't an easy journey, yet Abraham did it.  That's real faith.  And just when I think Abraham's faith couldn't get any stronger, God finds new ways to strengthen Abraham's faith through his son, Isaac.

Here's what I noticed about Abraham's great faith that is so special.  Abraham has taken the time to really know God over the years.  The more time he spends with God, the more confidence and peace Abraham has in God.  Abraham trusts God for the miraculous before the miracle actually happens.  He knows God is going to show up.  

Look at how Abraham handles God's call to sacrifice his only son,

5 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...”

7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

Genesis 22:5, 7-8

Now, if this was me, I am not sure I would handle the situation as well.  But, did you catch Abraham's certainty?  He knows before he offers his son to God, that everything will be okay and that the trial is an act of worshiping God.  He says, "we will worship and then we will come back to you."  That's confidence in God!

How can Abraham be so confident?  He's trusting God's promises for his own life to be the father of a great nation.  

So here's the thing.  Thank goodness it's not every day God asks us to sacrifice our children.  But, God does ask us to keep growing in our relationship with Him, just like Abraham.  

God wants us to be confident in Him.  He wants us to trust in His power to provide all that we need in every moment of our lives.  And, I believe He wants us to teach that to our children by example.

Think about your own relationship with God.  

What promises does He keep whispering to You about your life with Him?

What blessings has He used to build Your trust in Him?

Are there any ways God has tested your faith lately?  How have you responded?

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

I thank You for all the blessings in my life.  Thank you for providing me with all that I need.  Forgive me for questioning Your direction in my life and being way too analytical in my thinking.  I pray You will continue to strengthen my relationship with You.  Help me to walk in confidence, following Your voice.  Lord, bless me, please, with Your peace that passes understanding, and I pray for this same peace to fill and comfort __________ (name those who need prayers today).

In the name of Jesus I pray,

Amen

Grace and peace,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.