We learn of three tests in Genesis 22 that God gave to Abraham. In this post we’ll examine the third test. The third test God gave to Abraham and gives to us is: The Faith Test (Genesis 22:4-8)
We read in Genesis 22:4-8, On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” Did you catch that? Abraham said “we” will come back to you. What’s up with that? Isaac was to be slaughtered and burned whole on the altar. How would Isaac come back with Abraham? Hebrews gives us some insight into what Abraham was thinking when he said this. In Hebrews 11:17-19 we read: “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead…” What tremendous faith for at this time there had never been a resurrection from the dead! So Abraham not only believed God for something miraculous, he also believed God for something that had never even been done before. What faith!!
But it doesn’t stop there. Look what else we see. When Isaac asked his father, “…where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. Abraham was preparing to obey God in a radical way, yet he wasn’t freaking out. He was calm and this calmness came from a deep rooted faith and trust in God. God tested Abraham’s faith to see if Abraham would freak out in fear or trust him with a confident faith. And God tests our faith as well. God wants us to be like Abraham by responding in faith in every situation – even scary ones.
I remember being in the car with some unsaved friends in high school. We almost got into an accident and had to swerve to avoid crashing. I remember being supernaturally calm and at peace even as we swerved suddenly. My unsaved friends screamed and expletives filled the air. But God as my witness, I was cool as a cucumber. I don’t recall even flinching. My response shocked both my friends AND me but as I thought about it after-the-fact I realized that I was calm and at peace because of my deep-rooted faith and trust in God. I knew that my life was in his hands and that nothing could happen to me except that which God allowed and I knew God wasn’t done using me on this earth so I had nothing to fear.
This is how God wants us to go through life – with a peaceful calm that comes from deep-rooted faith and trust in God – in his goodness – in his protection – in his care. Maybe God has allowed you to be in a scary situation.
- Maybe you got a report from the doctor that isn’t so good – or maybe there’s been talk at your work of downsizing – and you’re scared. Well, have you ever thought that God may be testing your faith? How will you choose to respond? In John 6:5-6 Jesus ask’s Philip where they would find bread to feed the 5,000 men that had come to hear Jesus preach (never mind all the women and children). He asked Philip this to test him – to see how he would respond – in faith or in fear. Well Philip freaked out! Buy bread for these people? Are you kidding? It would take more than half a year’s wages just for each person to have one bite! Jesus is like: Aiiinnt! Wrong answer! He looks around at his other disciples to see how they would respond. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus is like: Now you’re talking. To offer five small barley loaves and two small fish as a potential solution to feed 5,000 men (and many more women and children) was a response of faith! Philip failed the test. Andrew passed the test. Who do you relate to more? Philip or Andrew? Do you freak out or respond in faith?
- If you’re considering tithing, no doubt you are scared to take this step of obedience. If that’s you, let me encourage you with this: As Abraham literally took steps of faith up one side of the mountain, God’s provision was trotting up the other side. In the same way, as you step out in faith to honor God in this area of your life, God will simultaneously line up your provision. God says in Malachi 3:10, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Not only does God test us, but when it comes to the tithe, He invites US to test HIM! Every time you get paid, it’s a test. Will you respond in fear (if I give to God there won’t be enough for me) or faith (I’m going to return to God what is rightfully His and trust Him to provide everything I need)?
- Maybe you’re scared to invite a friend or coworker or family member to church. You are so afraid of what they will think of you and of how they might respond. Fear of rejection is holding you back. But why assume a negative response? Since you don’t know either way, why not assume a positive one? This would be a faith filled approach, which the Bible says honors God greatly.
Hebrews 11:1 says “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:6 says “…and without faith it is impossible to please God…” Friends – God is pleased when we respond to life’s obstacles and opportunities in faith and not fear. When we live our life in faith God becomes Jehovah Jireh our Provider. When in faith, we trust God to provide our needs, he does.
Answer this question in your heart: are you passing the faith test? Where in your life does God need to replace fear with faith?