The Dangers of Half Truth
Genesis 22 tells of God’s instruction to Abraham to take his son, Isaac whom he loves so much and sacrifice him as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which God will reveal to him. The bible tells us that the next morning Abraham got up early, chopped the wood, saddled his donkey, took his son and two young men who were his servants and started off to the place where God had told him to go. We learn that along the way Isaac asked his father about the lamb which will be sacrificed, to which Abraham responded, God will see to it my son. Once they arrived at the specified location Abraham built an altar; placed the wood in order and ready for the fire and then tied Isaac and laid him on the altar over the wood. He took the knife and lifted it up to plunge it into his son, to slay him but at that moment the Angel of the Lord shouted to him from heaven.
The interesting issue is that the Lord in the first place is the one who promised Abraham that he will be the father of all nations. His generation to follow will be so many like the stars in heaven. The very same God who has performed such a miracle of blessing Abraham with a son in his later years, was the same one who was asking that the same blessing must be sacrificed. Abraham respond to this request was not by words but action. He prioritised his respond by waking up early and prepare, when the preparations were done, he got on his way to do as God commanded. On his way, he said to a concerned Isaac, God will see to it or God will provide a lamb for himself. One would think that he will get to the mountain and sit around until the lamb shows up but no, he prepared the altar and tied Isaac and lifted the knife to complete the task. This is a challenge to many of us, whom God have given tasks to complete, however we are yet to prepare, to begin and even finalise what is required of us. Abraham even with his love for Isaac was willing to give him up for the Lord. I believe that so many of us have built many altars for the Lord but failed to tie up what we love and give up our desires, sacrifice them in order for us to follow the Lord with all our hearts.
We must understand that faith with no action is dead. The Lord’s hand is available to assist and help us with whatever circumstances we may be experiencing but if we do not believe and act in our faith how else our Lord is supposed to intervene on our behalf. He expects us to tie our fears, cut loose our stronghold and give up anything that we love more than him. Abraham believed on God and God’s promises than the circumstances around him. We spend too much times thinking about what if, have and have not, but our God is not of what if, but a God who fulfils His promises. It is important to note that our actions reveal the truth about our belief in Him. The challenge I present to you today is this, what is God asking you to do today, what have you done about it, is your love for anything in this world much more than the Lord, is your altar empty with no sacrifice because you are failing to tie up and give up your own desires so that you can do the work of the Lord. There is no better time to serve the Lord than today, as Abraham has done. After the Lord have spoken, He woke up early and prepared himself, I say to anyone reading this, this is your morning, prepare yourself, gather your resources, tie up and give up all that you love more than the Lord, and believe that He has already made a way.
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