When the Blessing Becomes a Sacrifice

Referencing Genesis 22 and Job 13:15

For the past few weeks, I have been meditating on the story of Abraham and Isaac. Today, I’d like to share another point from the story that blessed me. The story of Abraham is one of great faith. The Lord blessed Abraham and Sarah with a son, Isaac in their old age. They prayed many years for Isaac and the Lord answered. So, it would seem ironic that the Lord would ask Abraham to sacrifice the promised son He so graciously blessed Him with.

Although I could not imagine giving up any of my children, I can only imagine how Abraham must have felt in the initial moments of receiving those instructions but the story says that he immediately obliged in obedience. This showed his great trust in God. God has told me several times to let go of things and people during different seasons in my life. However, I struggled with releasing and as a result, I paid the price. After my experience, I asked God why. His reply was because He wanted me to learn not to allow my feelings or loyalty to people to interfere with my obedience to Him.

One thing I’ve learned is that everything the Father does is intentional. He is a God of principle, balance, and increase. Anything that He takes away is replaced with greater and with our best interest in mind.

We have to reach a point in our lives where we have to trust in the very nature of who God is even in the face of uncertainty. We can’t rationalize why He does what He does or how He chooses to do it but rest in He knows what is best for His children. If Abraham had not been willing to release what was most dear to Him, he would not have been able to receive the promise. We can’t allow anything or anyone God blesses us with to take precedence over our devotion and obedience to Him. When I think about the many blessings in my life, they have all involved some degree of sacrifice. My marriage, children, career, and many other things have required some degree of struggle to maintain at some point in time. The struggle often comes when we fail to dedicate that which God has given us back to Him. The struggle actually is a reminder that we need God and an opportunity to invite Him in. We have to commit everything to the Father’s care. Our love for Him should always supersede our love for it or them.

Abraham knew that God could do more with Isaac than He could and that if He requested Isaac, it was for an even greater purpose. He also showed that His love for God outweighed His love for Isaac which is what proved his allegiance to the Father. We aren’t blessed with things to make them idols in our lives. We receive blessings to bring honor and glory to God.

I want to leave you with some things to reflect upon. What has the Lord blessed you with? If God asked for it back today, would you be willing to give it to Him? Would you still live for and praise Him? Would you be obstinate in your resolve like Job in 13:15, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him: but I will maintain mine own ways before Him”?

Friends, when your blessings become a sacrifice will you trust Him.