THE TESTING OF ABRAHAM
Armando Borja
Text: Genesis 22:1-14
Testing is an important part of our Christian life. It's an opportunity to honor God by our faithfulness and to grow in faith. It is also an opportunity to encourage others who witness how we remain faithful in the mids of suffering.
PURPOSE OF TESTING – v 12
To prove that you fear God
The whole duty of man is to fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13). God delights to see that we are doing this duty. To fear God means to revere Him. God is worthy of honor and glory that come from our obedience.
PERFORMANCE IN TESTING – vv 2-10
Prioritize God firstly – v 2
Our faithfulness to God is most evident when we sacrifice the things that we love the most.
Obey God resolutely --
We must do God's will with determination and without complaining even if it's hard to do.
Trust God completely – vv 5, 8; see Hebrews 11:17-19
God has already promised Abraham that He will bless him (Genesis 15:1-6). It is Abraham's faith in the promises of God that made him obey without questions.
PROVISION IN TESTING – vv 13-14
Like all sinners, Isaac deserved to die and Abraham deserved to suffer. When we are experiencing suffering we have no right to accuse God of being unfair unless you are perfectly sinless and wiser than God. But although we deserve to suffer, God, in his great Love and mercy provided a substitute that suffered and died for us. He is God's only Son, Jesus Christ, the lamb of God who loves you and gave himself for you. By trusting Christ as your only Savior, he becomes your substitute. He died for you. You will no longer be condemned. You will someday be delivered from this world filled with suffering and death.
While we are still here on earth and going through times of trials, God will provide something in order for you to pass the test and continue to do His will.
Do you view testing as an opportunity to honor God?
How do you perform in times of testing?
Does your strength to face trials come from the promises of God?