9 - “What Competes in our Hearts for Sovereignty?” Genesis 21-22

Abraham planted a grove, a garden.  And he called on the Name of the Lord, the Eternal God.  Genesis 21:33.  And he lingered there.  This wasn't just a practice for him---this was a profession of profound faith.  I've made some stands this week that have fallen on silence.  But, this is not about me.  This life is about worshipping the One who has always been, always here, always will be---no matter what the town says; no matter what their faces show. 

God accomplishes His purposes, always.
And it may just be smack dab in the middle of
wandering in a wilderness.
Things may not seem as they appear:
The provision was straight in front of her face.
The answer meant staying and living in a wilderness.

Wandering ... Hagar lifted up her voice and wept ... 
God heard the cries of her 14-year-old son ...
not the momma's cries.
Take him by the hand.  

And then! God opened the eyes of the momma.  Genesis 21:17 Abraham loved God more than his father---he left his father's land and all behind.

He went through so many trials and testings.  Doesn't exempt us from further ones.
It's what people give me the hardest saying about:  

they really don't want to hear
that one more thing has happened in my life or their own life.  

Don't even tell me---
is what the mantra seems to be. 

Where does my default thinking end up?  Do I love God more?  Do I love God more than my children?  Do I love God more than people and what they say to me? 

I didn't think I would end my life struggling with acceptance but I am. 

Does anyone even want to read anything I write? Probably not. But one child asked me to write. 

So, here it is with all honesty. 

So, back to Abraham---does Abraham love God more than his precious son, Isaac?
He is about to find out.
Abraham.

  God calls his name.

"Here I am." What are are you saying to your servant tonight, my Lord? Genesis 22:1
No one could be prepared for what was about to happen.
Kill your son, Isaac.
God tells Abraham he must have his son, his only son, the son Sarah wept to bear.  
The son of your laughter.  That one.
Yes, the one who is as your own very soul.
Do it in the land of Moriah, a 3-day journey for you to consider your every step.
With no known reason like other trials where the reasoning was seen. 

Hey, do we demand to know the reason for the things that happen to us when in unknown territory? Sometimes, I think God is punishing me for my mishandling of life. I used to say that to you all---maybe God is disciplining you in this?  You all never liked that.  Ever.  Wish I had not ever said that phrase.  We aren't being punished for our sins---our sins are forgiven and forgotten.  Mea culpa to my children.  

When God sees that it is in man's necessity, He will see to it Himself that it is yours.  The Lord provided for Abraham a lamb in the thicket.  Gen 22:14. The Hebrew word for "provide" means to see it to completion, to do it yourself. and, The Jehovah God provides to this very day.  What is it that our little family really needs?  Holiness. 

It was the Voice of God behind Abraham. He turned and lifted his eyes up, behind him, to heaven. The Voice of Providence. In the thicket. A substitute for your son, Isaac. Jehovah-jireh, the Lord will provide. Deep signficance. The One Who provides this ram in the thicket will provide the "atoning victim of which this ram is a type." In the fulness of time, according to Luke. And we have known the fulness of that time when Christ came, unlike anyone in the OT.

No delay in any way or form on Abraham's part.

Why? Scripture interprets Scripture. Abram knew Genesis 15 1-18...

An Incomparable Covenant of Love.

The day never to be forgotten...

promised seed - Christ himself

promised land - Heaven above.

So, no delay in Abram's obedience.
He even distanced himself from his own servants not to intercede or intercept.
A holy willfulness with the heaviest heart carried by any known man on earth.
Abraham bound the hands that had reached out to grab him as his daddy.
The hands that folded in prayer with his dad.  Abraham bound those hands.
The Sun of Righteousness broke through.
Lay not your own hand upon that son.
The answer:  Abraham loved God more than he loved Isaac.
What competes in our heart for the rule of the sovereignty of God?

And a thought and a prayer:  "If You will" - God, please change our hearts.  You see the struggles.  You hear our cries.

PHOTO: My youngest son with my daughter’s oldest son. . I cannot imagine.