In the faith walk, we’re asked to trust God. To believe without seeing. To hear and obey. We know God is loving and has a plan for us. However, can we trust Him when His plan is contrary to our own? Do we still say yes when we may suffer personal loss? Can we still trust God when we don’t have all the answers? Which of the faces of trust fo you have on display?
The Story: Genesis 22
In Genesis 22, Abraham received a message from God to sacrifice his only son on a mountain. Once they arrived at the place, Abraham advised the servants to remain with the animals while he and Issac went up the mountain. As they neared the place, Isaac inquired about the location of the sacrifice. Abraham advised that God would provide.
When Abraham and Isaac arrived at the destination, Abraham organized the wood and placed his bound son on top. Abraham raised the knife, but an angel of the Lord stopped him from killing his son. The Lord spoke that Abraham showed himself faithful by not withholding Isaac, the son of promise. When Abraham looked up, a ram was stuck in the bushes and Abraham sacrificed the animal instead of Isaac. Following the sacrifice, Abraham named the place God will provide. The Lord spoke to Abraham and advised him about the multiplication of his seed and the continued blessing.
The Lesson
The father-son duo provides insight into the faces of trust. Each of them had different life experiences so their level of trust appeared in different ways. Isaac was a young man who trusted his father. If his father said it, then Isaac could rest in it. He knew the elements needed for sacrifice and followed what he said. He didn’t know where the sacrifice would come from yet he trusted.
On the other hand, Abraham trusted God. He knew that when God spoke, there was no need for anything else. Abraham was the one who left his country and family to an unknown place. Indeed, God provided. While in the new land, God multiplied him. Abraham was the one God said that he and his wife would have a son in their old age. God provided. Therefore, God had a track record with Abraham. So, this time would be no different. Indeed, God provided.
From Isaac, we see trust despite uncertainty. God doesn’t always give us the details. Sometimes, we walk through life, and revelation of the plan occurs along the way. We’re following the layout set before us by those who came before us. We’re uncertain about the future, but trust that everything will work out in the end.
Sometimes we’re like Abraham. We receive a word from God and we set out on the journey. This level of trust reflects a complete surrender to the plan of God. To follow this trust, we must lay aside our thoughts and the opinions of others. By following God’s track record, we can trust that He will provide.
Where’s your face? Are you trusting with uncertainty or trusting with assurance? Please know we can switch between the two as long as we never stop trusting in the God who will provide.
