July 17


Great Sacrifice


Stay here ... while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.

Genesis 22:5 (NIV)


Here, Abraham teaches us a simple yet amazing lesson. Do you see what he calls what he is about to do? He knows full well he is about to sacrifice his son Isaac, the heir of the Promise. He will literally tie the boy up, take his knife out and raise it high with every intention of thrusting it into the lad's heart. And ... he calls it worship?

Worship. Giving to God what He deserves, what He wants, what He expects ... like our total obedience.

We know well the suspense and eventual twist in this "real-knife" drama. God stops Abraham at the last minute. He provides him with a ram to sacrifice in Isaac’s place (the poor animal just happens to be stuck in a thicket nearby). And God is pleased. Abraham has held back nothing—even that which is most precious to him. Even his dear son—loved like none other.

And so this lesson comes home to me. This thousands of years old drama has meaning in my life. It tells me I must offer up that which is dearest to me. We all must ... if we want to be like Abraham—a person of great faith, reputation and title—the friend of God.

In time and eternity, we can want nothing more....


My Father and my God, this day I come to Your altar with open hands and a willing heart. You have blessed me with beautiful things. Please take the dearest and the best. I give them freely and rejoice always with this universal truth: You know what is best.