Tuesday, January 5, 2010
January 7 ... Genesis 22 - 24 "Letting Go of What I Love More than God"
Gen 22:11 - “I’m listening.” Am I really listening to the Grand Story, one that is much bigger than my concerns? God laid out a plan for Abraham to take his son’s life. Abraham was listening and He did what God said because there was a Larger Story than just Abraham and Isaac. Is this the same Abraham who had continually passed off his wife for his sister? Something had changed in those years as he watched Isaac grow up---Isaac, the Love and Laughter of his life. Abraham was willing to let go of what he loved the most in this life. What do I love more than God? Abraham is falling forward on a very Good God.
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So much of today's reading really spoke to me, but something I have never noticed before is Gen 22:14
ReplyDeleteAbraham named the place God-Yireh (God-Sees-to-It).
God-Yireh says it all!
Hey Bev - just FYI - my 66 Love Letters book arrived today from Amazon. Can't wait to crack it open!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful love story today of Rebekah and Isaac finding comfort after his mother's death in his bride. I was struck by the servant's prayers to do the right thing. Not really sure He was his God, he called out to the Lord, "Oh God of my master..." He had seen how the Lord provided and believed and prayed prayers for his master and his master's son, but I wonder if he ever prayed for himself as well. Certainly he had the faith. I thought about how many times I'm able to pray big prayers for others, but hate to ask anything too big on my behalf, probably out of fear the answer is no. We think God answers someone else's prayers because they're so faithful, or because they are favored of God, (and we believe we might not be.) The truth is God answers all our prayers out of His faithfulness, not our own. It seems so scary to even ask at times. This servant had a very altruistic prayer, but the way he asks calling Him the God of my master, makes me wonder if he hesitated to ask on his own behalf. I'm probably out in left field and this one may be just for me today, and this servant's prayer pricks my heart.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to start adding in Dr. Crabb's companion thoughts. The book is pivotal in our perspective of God and potentially transformational in understanding our divine purpose. It's big--that's all I know right now!
Love,
Annette G
Please say a prayer for our friend, Jean M.'s family today as they bury her husband's father.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that jumped out to me while reading this passage this week was the following two verses:
ReplyDeleteGen. 21:14 "Early the next morning Abraham...."
Gen 22:3 "Early the next morning Abraham ......."
Each time God had called him to do something his obedience was immediate and urgent. No hesitations or excuses, 'early the next morning' he rose and did what God asked him to do.
Wow. Obedience to our God is the most crucial step in our walks with Him, and to the Will of God in our lives. No hesitations, just obedience.
How many of us would have been faithful in the test Abraham passed...taking his son, Isaac, and placing him on that altar as a sacrifice?
ReplyDeleteI went through a very sad and difficult time in my life where I had to leave my first husband for abuse. My two daughters...well, they chose to stay in the web of his control and they were old enough to decide for themselves. It was hard letting go of that!
Sweetly, the Holy Spirit told me...Remember Lot's wife. Lot's wife longingly looked back at Sodom and Gomorrah instead of running for her life from that evil place.
Once I heard THAT whispered guidance from the VOICE I've learned to trust and obey, I was at peace.
Abraham obeyed God. God spared Isaac.
Thank God for ears to hear Him and eyes to see Him when our way seems so painful.
Abraham had to have been hurting, but He trusted God...enough to know that God could raise Isaac from the DEAD.
I haven't seen my daughters' returning like the prodigal son did. But I know...God has spoken to me...one day she will bring you much joy (and that was when I was very early pregnant with my second born).
That promise hasn't been fulfilled, but it will be. I heard Him speak it. And at the time where He gave me this child's name...Hillary Grace.
Hillary...means...cheerful. Hilariously cheerful.
And Grace...well, unmerited favor.
I had no idea what I would go through when this child was forming in my womb.
But God did. And I wait patiently for His time of reunion.
THAT was my laying my child down on the altar. Very, very painful. But God was guiding me and speaking HOPE to me even in the difficult time of obedience.
Always...remember Lot's wife.