Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
September 8, 2022
Read: Genesis 22:1-14
1 After these events, God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” Abraham answered, “I’m here.” 2 God said, “Take your son, your only son whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him up as an entirely burned offering there on one of the mountains that I will show you.” 3 Abraham got up early in the morning, harnessed his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, together with his son Isaac. He split the wood for the entirely burned offering, set out, and went to the place God had described to him. 4 On the third day, Abraham looked up and saw the place at a distance. 5 Abraham said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will walk up there, worship, and then come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood for the entirely burned offering and laid it on his son Isaac. He took the fire and the knife in his hand, and the two of them walked on together. 7 Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father?” Abraham said, “I’m here, my son.” Isaac said, “Here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the entirely burned offering?” 8 Abraham said, “The lamb for the entirely burned offering? God will see to it, my son.” The two of them walked on together. 9 They arrived at the place God had described to him. Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He tied up his son Isaac and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. 11 But the LORD’s messenger called out to Abraham from heaven, “Abraham? Abraham?” Abraham said, “I’m here.” 12 The messenger said, “Don’t stretch out your hand against the young man, and don’t do anything to him. I now know that you revere God and didn’t hold back your son, your only son, from me.” 13 Abraham looked up and saw a single ram caught by its horns in the dense underbrush. Abraham went over, took the ram, and offered it as an entirely burned offering instead of his son. 14 Abraham named that place “the LORD sees.” That is the reason people today say, “On this mountain the LORD is seen.”
Good morning! Rejoice for the Lord is with Us.
Abraham showed amazing faith in God. Despite his challenges at other times in his life, he was able to clearly listen and follow the path upon which he was led.
Sometimes we are called to do things that we don’t understand, but when we listen and follow God we will be blessed. There are many examples of following God in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. We will face challenges along our journey and we will often not understand why we are being led in that direction. Regardless, those who listen and follow will be blessed. Do you remember when Jesus called Peter to take out his boat and lower his nets once more after an unsuccessful night of fishing? Peter thought it was a waste of time, but he did as he was asked and Peter’s boat was filled to overflowing.
God’s ways are not our ways and God sees things that we cannot yet see. We are called to follow in faith and when it is our time we will see things clearly as God’s plan is revealed to us. For now, we must engage in a relationship with our Lord through which we are led to meet the needs of others as we serve God using the gifts with which we have been blessed.
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. Thank you for my blessings. Abraham reminds us that You see and are in control. May we live our lives through You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Even when my future is unclear, God cares for me.
Trust and Obey God! Pastor Liz
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