DrawingAside

Just Thinking Out Loud:

One of the blessings of growing older is the realization of how short life really is and how important it is to not waste the time we've been given. My present-day priorities are faith (my relationship with God) and family (my relationship with my wife and progeny).

Just Thinking Out Loud:

I've come to believe that the most important thing in my faith walk is my personal relationship with God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and what that relationship should look like.

🤓

A RIGHT-NOW RELATIONSHIP

VERSE: "On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar." (Genesis 22:4)

EXPOSITION: Abraham has now traveled some 60 miles over untamed mountainous terrain to arrive near the place to which God has called him. He can see it now in the distance, the place where he will offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God. Even though the trip has been difficult, at least he has had the company of his only beloved son. But now that comfort is quickly dissipating as the moment of his ultimate testing comes rushing toward him. What has only been a possibility up to this point is now becoming a reality. We will soon see how Abraham responds to this challenge, but how do you think you would do? If God asked you to do something really difficult, would you? If God asked you to give up the one thing you love the most, what then? Would you shrink from the challenge? Or would you trust God to see it through to the end? We may never know until we are in the midst of the trial, but I can tell you this. Success then will flow from a genuine relationship now!

ACTION POINT: Make it your aim to walk and talk with Jesus every day.

GOD OF THE UNEXPECTED

VERSE: "and offer [Isaac] there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” (Genesis 22:2c)

EXPOSITION: This is without doubt on its surface one of the most difficult stories in the Bible. The idea that a loving God would make such a horrible request is morally repugnant. In fact, this story is often quoted by nonbelievers as evidence of the cruelty of the Christian God and as a good reason to reject him. But we mustn't miss the point of this story. God actually shows through this event that he refuses worship by human sacrifice at a time when such sacrifices were the norm. Within the framework of a then-accepted practice, God reminds Abraham that he is different from other so-called gods. Just as God dealt with Abraham in his culture, he deals with us in ours. God may choose to reveal himself to us in a most unexpected way, but only to show us that he is like no other.

ACTION POINT: Make sure you know this matchless God!