12-25-2019

Good Morning All, 

            Genesis 22:5; “Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.”

    This is one of the most amazing verses in the Bible.  On the first pass, we usually read right through this, but this is an amazing verse.  This verse is from the story of Abraham when God tells him to sacrifice his son Isaac.  While this may seem very strange to us, it was probably common among the people of Canaan who lived near and around Abraham at this time.  Yet Isaac was the promised child.  Isaac was the son that Abraham and Sarah had waited for.  He was the only son they had and now Abraham and Sarah were well over 100 years old so having more children seemed bleak.  Yet God was telling Abraham to offer Isaac as a burnt offering to God.

    Even as God required this, he reminded Abraham that Isaac was “your son, your only son”; there were no others.  When Isaac died so would the line of Abraham; so, would the promise that God made to Abraham.  So much would go by the wayside that wasn’t supposed to go.  Yet as we read this story there are some things that are curious.  At no time do we read about Abraham questioning God.  Abraham never asks, “Are you sure?”  “Perhaps there is a mistake.”  He never questioned God in any fashion.  Abraham simply gathered Isaac, the wood for the fire, the knife for killing Isaac and a couple of servants and headed for the appointed place.  For two days they journeyed; did Abraham wonder what was going to happen?  At the start of the third day, Abraham told the two servants to wait here and that he and Isaac would return later. 

    Now Abraham knew that God had told him to sacrifice Isaac; Isaac would not return; unless God did something miraculous.  Abraham had faith, tremendous faith that God would do something to keep him promise, the promise that God made to Abraham so many years before.  Scriptures does not tell us what Abraham expected; we only know he believed that God would keep his promise.

    There are many times when we cannot see our way out.  There are many times when what seems to be happening should not be.  These are the times that require faith.  These are the times when we say, “God, I don’t see it, but I know that you keep your promises and I will cling to that fact.  You keep your promises and you promised me life, forgiveness and salvation.”  That is all we need to say, “I trust in your promise.”  Just like Abraham, we can trust God to keep his word.  God made a promise to you in your Baptism and he will never go back on it.  You are his redeemed child and his love for you knows no bounds or ends.  Trust him to deliver.

Gracious Father, you sent the Lamb to redeem me from the devil.  Keep me safe in your loving arms.  Protect me from all harm and danger.  Strengthen my faith by your Spirit as you clothe me in your loving grace.  In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret