We are going to spend a few days reading about the benefits that come from trials and challenges. First, let us consider Abraham in Genesis 22: 1-2: "Now it came about...that God tested Abraham, and said to him, 'Abraham!' And he said, 'Here I am.' He said, 'Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.'" I cannot even begin to imagine how Abraham would have felt. I would have probably reasoned, "but Lord sacrifice is a pagan practice, I can't do that." Also, "but Lord, Isaac is the son of promise." This would be so difficult to process. However, we read in verse 3, "So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son...." I would have slept in, but not Abraham, he woke up early for his mission. I call that commitment. We know from reading further that Abraham goes to the designated place, binds his son and puts him on the altar and prepares to sacrifice him. Many commentators believe Isaac was between 18 and 20, so he had to cooperate in the process. The angel of the Lord stops Abraham and provides an animal sacrifice. This test of faith is almost unfathomable. However, we learn that we must be willing to be tested in what is the nearest and dearest to us. Abraham passed the test. Would you?
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