‘By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”’ – Hebrews 11: 17-18
Imagine.
You’ve dreamt of having a child. All you’ve ever wanted is to be a parent, but years pass and nothing. No doctor or treatments are able to help. You almost give up – until one day, you discover you will have a son. Can you imagine the emotions? A few years pass, and your son is growing into a curious little boy with personality to spare. You love admiring all he does as he learns and grows. After all, he’s a miracle.
Then one day, God asks you to give up this miracle.
Abraham was asked this very question. After years of waiting, hoping, losing faith, and trying things their own way, God fulfilled His promise of a son to Abraham and Sarah. Isaac was their miracle. An answer to prayer. The promised heir to a great nation. And God wanted Abraham to give up Isaac? It didn’t make sense.
Yet, Abraham chose to trust God fully. You see, God never intended for Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. He simply wanted to see Abraham’s heart. Did he really trust God? Was God really more important to Abraham than his son?
We all have dreams we would do almost anything to achieve. Sometimes it’s a dream we’ve been chasing since picking up a guitar as a kid. For others, it’s fresh and new, an idea that sparked a new business venture. You put in extra hours, sweat, and tears – you give up sleep, finances, and free time. We’re all dreaming of something. The problem, however, is when these dreams begin to replace God in our lives; when that dream takes first place and becomes our focus, our god – our ‘Isaac.’
The ultimate act of faith is giving God what we value most. Look at your life. Are you willing to put the Lord before your child? Before your spouse? Before your parents, friends, job, or ministry? These are our dreams, the things we love most.
These are our Isaacs.
So, what is it that you are holding onto so tightly that you’re not willing to give up for God? Start there and ask for help turning over to God the Isaacs in your life.
With God, He’s either first place in our lives – or no place at all.
Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH