A Test

 We have all faced tests. Spelling tests. History tests. English exams. In order to get a driver's license we had to pass a driver's examination. Those were easy compared to life tests we face all the time. Do we know that God tests us too. To reveal our hearts, stretch our faith, and teach us to persevere. 

In Genesis 22 God tested Abraham. You could substitute the word prove for test. The test defied logic. It seemed to violate the very promise of God. God tested Abraham by calling him to offer Isaac, his long awaited son, as a burnt offering. 

There are so many details left out of this story. Like did Abraham consult Sarah? I do not think she would have consented. It was one thing to trust that her husband heard God tell him to pack up everything to move to an unknown destination. Sacrificing her only son was a whole different matter. I am betting Abraham kept real quiet about what he sensed God wanted Him to do. 

Abraham's response is both shocking and inspiring. First, he rose early in the morning. I wonder if he slept at all that night. He saddled his donkey, split wood, took two servants and Isaac, and headed out to obey God. He did not argue with God. He did not hesitate in unbelief. He did not even pause for clarification of the word from the Lord. Just obedience in faith. 

I say obedience in faith because Abraham believed God was faithful. Once he arrived at his intended destination, he said in [Gen 22:5] to the two men with him, "I and the lad will over there and we will worship and return to you." We is plural. Abraham believed that he would return and Isaac would return with him. He did not know what God would do. We know Abraham was committed to obeying because he put the knife in his hand and was about to bring it down and slaughter his son when God stopped him. Abraham loved God so much he was willing to offer the most precious thing in his life. His promised son. 

Abraham passed the test. Do we pass God's tests? Most are not as severe as sacrificing a child. Some are like getting fired, having a spouse file for divorce, an untimely death of a loved one, and battling a terminal disease. They are still tough. Do we trust in Him in adversity? Do we hope in Him in hopeless situations? Do we cast aside doubt when provision is needed? Do we despair upon receiving bad news rather than leaning into God with trust? Do we believe that He really loves us even when tested? 

We may not have taken tests in school for a long time, but we still face tests all the time. Will we resolve to pass the test? When the pain is unbearable and circumstances confusing will we resolve to believe God and pass the test. It is in those moments we truly find out what we believe about God. That He is trustworthy and reliable or that He is not dependable. May our faith be sharpened like a student sharpens a pencil taking a math exam to pass it.