Total Faith

I have often heard the expression, "God will provide," and I will admit that at times I have had my doubts.

Isaac said to his father Abraham, “Father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together. - Genesis 22:7-8

Every time I read this story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis, I find it troubling.  I just cannot imagine a sane person being willing to sacrifice a child.

Commentaries get around the problem by focusing on Abraham's faith and they can do that because in the end, God provides an alternative to Isaac.

Thank God, or else there would be no way to reconcile the outcome.  We would all be cringing at the thought of being like Abraham, and so where would our faith be?

But maybe that is the point in all this, that we should find the sacrifice of a son or daughter unconscionable.

It is, after all, what we say God did for us, through the death of Jesus.  And perhaps we should be uncomfortable with that as well, since we offered no alternative when he was sacrificed.

Yet, I don't think this is about us feeling guilty.  We can live in faith that God will not intentionally lead us down the wrong path.  He will be with us all the way, and if we are totally faithful, we will see the alternative He provides.

God will provide, but we must believe that and be looking for His work.

Abraham answered his son truthfully.  God will provide.  I don't know how, but I believe He will.

More to come...