The patience of Abraham
I’ve never been a particularly patient person. Maybe it’s because I always seem to be waiting on something.
Recently, I was reading in Genesis about the story of Abraham and Sarah.
There must have been great rejoicing for Abraham and Sarah at the birth of Isaac, a child who had been prayed for and desired for many, many years. Can you imagine the joy when all the neighbors came to celebrate the birth of this first born?
God tests Abraham
But then a few years later, the Bible says God decided to test Abraham (Genesis 22:1-19). God asked him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac.
Hmm . . . can you even begin to imagine the thoughts that flew through Abraham’s mind?
“God, he is my only son; the seed that you promised.”
“God, I waited years to have this son, I love him.”
“God, why are you doing this to me? It is not fair.”
“God, I’ll give you anything, just not my son.”
I can think of a few of my own questions I would have liked to ask God, but God didn’t ask for Abraham to decide what he would rather give up. He asked for his only son. And even though he must have had many feelings of doubt, fear and anger, the Bible says early the next morning Abraham got up and left to do what God had told him.
Wow.
Later, Abraham stood with the knife in his hand.
When he raised it to kill his only son, he was stopped by an angel of God. A ram was caught by the horns in a thicket and that could be sacrificed instead.
What relief he must of felt. What joy. What faith Abraham had in God. Abraham called the place, “The Lord will provide.”
What an amazing testimony of faith.
And another reminder of God’s faithfulness. The road we’re on might not always be easy, but He’s always there, giving us hope, strength and direction.
But they who wait upon the Lord will get new strength. They will rise up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weak. – Isaiah 40:31
How has the Lord provided for you recently?
Lisa Harris and her family have spent over ten years living as missionaries in Mozambique where she writes romantic suspense, leads a women’s group, and runs a non-profit organization that works alongside their church-planting ministry to provide for people’s physical needs. When she’s not working she loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari.
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