Genesis 12:1-9 and Genesis 22:1-19
If you have questions about faith--maybe what it looks like--then look no further because today's reading is full of faith. How Abraham responded in both passages really portrays faith for me. Whatever God asks of Abraham, he does--no questioning, no complaining, no attitude. The verse that really got me was Genesis 22:10. Abraham takes hold of the knife to kill Isaac but before he can complete the act the Lord calls out to him and Abraham responds, "Here am I." When I read those three words, I was moved. What a completely submissive and tender response to the Lord in the most unimaginable circumstance. I couldn't help thinking Oh, to be like Abraham.
So what does "Here am I" mean to you? If you were to say "Here am I, Lord" right now, would that bring about any changes in your life? Tami W.
To me, "Here I am" means whatever the Lord asks, doing it without hesitation, without fear, without question just being obedient to God.
If I were to say "Here am I, Lord", yes, it would bring about changes in my life. I try to be a good steward when God calls me to do something, but I know that I fall short in following what is asked of me. I am working harder to be fully submissive to God and not allowing "self" to interfere with my relationship of being obedient to Our Lord and Savior. I step out on faith and have to remain faithful to the promises of Jesus Christ knowing that He will not "leave me nor forsake me".
I have only one daughter. I have often asked myself the same question. I think we have an advantage over Abraham in that God was beginning to reveal Himself to humanity when He asked Abraham to give up his heir - the most important "thing" in his life. It was a test of obedience and trust. While Abraham didn't hear from God like we do (the Bible, primarily), he obviously trusted God. The Bible is full of other examples where God proved Himself trustworthy when obedience was required. Advantage us! I would hope that I would obey God to that degree too, if required. I also hope that God does not require that of me! I also think that if I am obedient day by day, then trusting God in these big things becomes easier. (Not necessarily easy, though.)
When Abraham responds "Here I am" he seems "to me" to show an "opened heart and mind to what's next on the Lord's agenda or list of things to be done. It melts my heart to see how responsive/enthusicastic Abraham is to our Lord. May we imitate what Abraham, in this.
Today's reading allowed me to realize:
1. When God gives us a task to complete He makes Himself clear, with what needs to be done.
2. He gives us directions one step at a time. Lest, we be overwhelmed with what's next.
3. Our God also lets us know when we have completed the task.
"Hear am I" means to me first of all that God is talking to me, a sinner, calling my name and that I can hear Him. I believe I would fall on my face and just cry out to Him and thank and praise Him. If I were to say "Here am I" right now would mean that my whole life would have to be solely for the Lord. Because, if He were to call me that means He loves and trusts me and that would be the greatest honour and privelege for me. This would just be a "rubber stamp" to let me know that God is truly with me, guiding and protecting me so He can use me. Awesome!
I have a question. In Ch 22 verse 5 Abraham says "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you." Why do you think that Abraham said, or at least implied, that he AND his son would return?
Seth, I believe Hebrews 11: 17,19 gives us our answer to your question.
Everyone always talks about the faith of Abraham and it is one to emulate. No one talks about his Son's faith, He had to have faith also cause he didn't fight Abraham. Abraham is a very old man at this time and yes his son is young but he has the advantage. I believe cause he was submissive also he was blessed too. Look at the christians that was pursicuted cause they were christians and would not renounce their faith. We still have this example today when you think about the christians in the middle east, they gets perssicute today and are risking their lives. I believe it is necessary to evaluate the level of our faith.