Scripture: Genesis 22.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Genesis 22:10-17 (NLT)

10 And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice.

11 At that moment the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!”

12 “Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.”

15 Then the angel of the LORD called again to Abraham from heaven.

16 “This is what the LORD says: Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that

17 I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

Faith like that expressed by Abraham is unheard of today. Wow, what a display of unreserved faith and obedience. This expression of faith did not go unnoticed by God, for in verse 17 we are told how God blessed Abraham immensely for his unwavering faith. So am I suggesting that you begin sacrificing your kids to show your faith? Indeed not. For some of us, it may be as simple as giving up our earthly/worldly gods to enable us to truly consecrate ourselves to the praise and honor of our resurrected Lord. For some, it may mean sacrificing some of our personal time, beach time, or TV time to honor God through visiting the poor, shut-ins or hospitalized. For some it may mean sacrificing some of our money to give to the poor, or work of the church so that God’s Kingdom may be enriched. Friend, you will know more clearly what it is that prevent you from doing all that God demands of you. Abraham was obedient to sacrifice even his favorite son in obedience to God. And why would God ask such a thing of His children, you may ask? I believe that God has been the instrument of providing all that we have. He knows that these same gifts tend to trip us up. So what provides for an excuse for us? What blinds us from the truths of His Word? What provides a roadblock in preventing us from being total committed and totally dedicated to His will and way? As in the case of Abraham, He may call on us to surrender these idols or gifts in order to be committed to Him or to serve Him better. Can you do it? Will you do it, if called upon to do it? Abraham was blessed beyond measure for his obedience, and you can be equally as blessed friend when you unreservedly commit yourself to our Savior!

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Dear Lord, You showed me through Your Word how important it is to truly and unreservedly commit myself to You. Yes, even if it means giving up things in my life that help me to make excuses for my lack of commitment and dedication to You and Your work. Abraham waited 100 years for his son Isaac, yet he willingly laid him on an altar of sacrifice. Please show me what I need to lay on the altar so that I may receive Your ultimate blessings and give of my total self to Your will and way.

 

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
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