God Will Provide
Scripture Reading — Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham answered,"God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." Genesis 22:8
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Tests come in various shapes and sizes. Abraham and Sarah had been on a pilgrimage for many years. Along the way there had been many tests, resulting in successes and failures.
In our reading for today God calls Abraham to take another journey--to sacrifice his son Isaac! Can you imagine the pounding of Abraham's heart with each step he takes toward Moriah? God has called him to sacrifice his one and only, long-awaited son.
Along the way, Isaac notices that this sacrifice is different from others. "Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" Isaac's question surely cuts to the core of Abraham's being. But somehow he manages to prophesy that God will provide. He has journeyed with God a long time.
Abraham builds an altar, binds Isaac, and lays him on the altar. He's about to kill his own child when God breaks in and says, in effect, "Not your son!"
Abraham has passed the test of trust. Abraham and Isaac witness the truth of the prophecy that God will provide. Abraham holds nothing back from God and, as a result, God provides for Abraham.
What is your need? Where are you called to trust? God will provide, just as he provided new life for us through the sacrifice of his own Son.
Dear God, thank you for all your provisions. Help us to give to you from our time, talents, and treasures. May we entrust our whole lives to you. In Jesus, Amen.
About the author — Jul Medenblik
Rev. Jul Medenblik is a former attorney who was called to pastoral ministry and became the church-planting pastor of a congregation in New Lenox, Illinois. Since 2011 he has served as the seventh president of Calvin Theological Seminary, which, together with Calvin University, is celebrating 150 years of God’s faithfulness in their history as the educational institutions of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (see calvinseminary.edu/150th). Jul and his wife, Jackie, have been married for over 40 years and are blessed with two adult children and a son-in-law.
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