“When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood, and bound Isaac his son and placed him on the altar, on top of the wood. Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son.” – Genesis 22:9-10 (AMP)

The ultimate test of selflessness is to give that which one loves the most at the request of another. When Abraham came into the land of Canaan, God had promised him that his seed will become a great nation even when had no child yet. By God’s faithfulness and providence, Isaac was born, and obviously, he loved Isaac so much. Then God placed a demand on him to test where his heart lies truly.

God spoke to him with specific details. Genesis 22:2 – “God said, “Take now your son, your only son [of promise], WHOM YOU LOVE, ISAAC, and go to the region of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” With these details, God was telling Abraham not to try and make the choice between Ishmael and Isaac. He loved Isaac. Who wouldn’t? Imagine waiting for the fulfillment of a promise from God for many years and now the answer is here, then God says to part with it, how would you feel? That must have been a painful decision to make. But, what did Abraham do?

Abraham trusted the One who gave him Isaac and obeyed the Lord by doing what God asked. It took only God to stop him from literally killing Isaac but he had let go of Isaac in his heart and had given him to God. How was this known? It was never recorded that he argued with or complained before God. He let go of that which he loved most because of Him who has shown him the greatest love. This was a type and shadow of God sacrificing Jesus Christ, His Only Begottern Son, for the sins of the world.

What do you have that is so dear to you that you cannot give away? When you realize and accept the truth that all you have came from God, then giving them back to God will become possible, no matter how difficult. Your life and all that you have as yours were given to you by God and like Abraham, a time may come that God will ask that you give any of them to Him, you must be willing to.

Reflections: What do I have that I cannot give to God? Can I let go of that which I love and hold so dear to me?

Confession: I am born of God and the Spirit dwells in me. I willing give to God in return and appreciation of the things He has first given me. I hold nothing so dear that God cannot demand for. All of my life and all that I have belongs to Him.

Related Scripture: Genesis 22:1-19

Bible Reading: John 11