Introduction

Hey there, family! You know, there's a quote from A.W. Tozer that I've been chewing on lately. He said, "God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which He must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves." Ain't that something? In our fast-paced world, where we're always rushing to meet deadlines and tick off to-do lists, it's comforting to know that God is in no hurry. He's got it all under control.

Today, we're going to take a look at a story in the Bible that really brings this quote to life. It's a story that shows us God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't make sense to us. It's the story of Abraham and Isaac. Let's read it together, shall we?

Genesis 22:1-2 says, "Sometime later God tested Abraham. He said to him, 'Abraham!' 'Here I am,' he replied. Then God said, 'Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.'"

The Test of Abraham

Abraham was a man of faith, a man who trusted God even when the circumstances seemed impossible. He was a man who had waited for years for God to fulfill His promise of a son. And when that son finally came, God asked Abraham to do the unthinkable - to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. This was more than just a test of Abraham's faith. It was a test of his obedience, his trust, and his love for God.

Let's consider the obedience of Abraham. God's command was clear and direct. There was no room for negotiation or compromise. Abraham was to take his son, his only son, and offer him as a sacrifice. This was a radical and seemingly irrational command. But Abraham didn't question God. He didn't argue or try to negotiate. He simply obeyed. He woke up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, took two of his servants and his son Isaac, and set off for the place God had told him about. Abraham's obedience was immediate and complete.

Now, let's look at Abraham's trust. He trusted God even when it didn't make sense. He trusted God even when God's command seemed to contradict His promise. God had promised Abraham that through Isaac, his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. But now God was asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. How could God fulfill His promise if Isaac was dead? But Abraham trusted God. He believed that God could and would fulfill His promise, even if it meant raising Isaac from the dead.

Then there's Abraham's love for God. This was a test of Abraham's love for God. Did he love God more than he loved his son? Did he love God more than he loved the promise of a future with countless descendants? Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac showed that he loved God more than anything else. He was willing to give up his most precious possession, his only son, because he loved God more.

Finally, let's think about the faith of Abraham. This was a test of Abraham's faith. He believed God, even when God's command seemed impossible. He believed God, even when it seemed like God was asking him to give up everything he held dear. Abraham's faith was not a blind faith. It was a faith based on his relationship with God, a faith based on God's character and promises. Abraham knew God. He knew that God was faithful, that God was loving, that God was good. And because he knew God, he could trust Him, even when it didn't make sense.

The Ultimate Sacrifice

As we continue our study, we find ourselves at the heart of this story, the moment where Abraham is asked to make the ultimate sacrifice ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO