An Isaac Journey

Genesis 22:2- "Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."

"When the journey takes you where you don't want to go."

I sort of chuckle out loud when I hear this phrase. It seems so familiar to my life. And it does make me think of the story of Abraham. I'm reminded of how God interrupted his life and told him to leave his family, his country, and go to an unknown place. However that commanded invitation at least included a list of promised blessings- something to hold on for and look forward to. Abram had hope. (story found in Genesis 12)

But not so with the Isaac command. That time God simply gives a clear instruction with vague directions- no guarantee, no promises, just a test. And this isn't an ordinary test- God asks Abraham to relinquish what he holds most dear to his heart. In fact, God asks Abraham to give back the actual fulfillment of those promised Blessings.

Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever wondered why God would lead you down a dangerous or undesired path for no apparent reason? I know several times over the last few years I've experienced what I call "Isaac moments". Those situations or seasons of life in which God asks me to "let go of", "give up", or return something that previously was a blessing or an answer to prayer. Difficult at best, painful, agonizing, challenging, and ridiculous are words that hardly describe the realness of those times in my life.

But there is something encouraging in Abraham's story. A lesson that I try to grab hold of because I believe it is truth. And it all boils down to willingness and worship.

First, Abraham got up early to go on the dreaded "Isaac journey". Most assuredly, he didn't want to go and he didn't feel like going but he was convinced that willingness to obey was important to God. Secondly, when asked about what he was doing, he told people he was going to worship. He didn't complain, he didn't try to make the situation something it wasn't. Somewhere, at some point in time, he had realized that God knew something he didn't and that God could be trusted.

So my prayer is that during these Isaac journeys I am willing to go where God asks me to go and do what He asks me to do. Whether it is hard or painful, I desire to trust Him. I also pray that I have an attitude of worship. That my words speak of His Faithfulness and His Ability. So even as I look toward a mountain upon which a sacrifice must be made, I remember His familiarity with that journey- for He gave His only Son on a mountain- just so I could know Him. It is that kind of love that persuades me that God knows something I don't and He can be trusted.

Further encouragement:
Psalms 73:25-26- "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Isaiah 41:10- "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen You, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Philippians 3:8- "Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ"