God Honors Obedience

   “…them that honour me I will honour,” (1 Sam 2:30)

   Abraham and Sarah had a son, Isaac. This birth was a miracle since both were older and Sarah could not have children. Years later, when Isaac was older, God told Abraham, “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” (Genesis 22:2)

   No doubt Abraham was grieved at this command, but he obeyed, “Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead;” (Hebrews 11:19) Abraham knew that even if he killed Isaac, God could raise Isaac from the dead. That’s why when Abraham and Isaac went to the place of offering, he told the servants, “…I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.” (Genesis 22:5) Abraham told the servants that BOTH of them would return.

   But would Abraham trust and obey God? Yes. Abraham “…laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.” (Genesis 22:9-10) This was a test for Isaac, too, since he could have fled. Yet God stopped Abraham from killing Isaac, and God blessed their obedience.

   This situation must have been scary, but God has never given a command like this before or since, so we need not worry that God will want us to offer our kids as a sacrifice. Yet God does tell us to do some things that may be inconvenient or even scary.

   For example, God’s Word tells us to attend church faithfully, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,” (Hebrews 10:25) You may work Sundays for extra money, or Sunday may be for family time. Those priorities are certainly important, but if you put God first by attending a Bible-preaching, soul-winning church, you can see how God will honor your obedience.

   God also wants us to spend time in His Word: “Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read:” (Isaiah 34:16) God also tells us to pray: “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18) If you’re busy, as most people are, taking time for God’s Word is not always convenient, but if you will do it, God honors obedience.

   If you know Jesus as Saviour, God also says to share your faith in Christ: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) Doing this can be scary. If you go telling people about Jesus, you may be considered a fanatic. Yet again, God honors obedience.

   The story of Abraham and Isaac illustrates trusting and obeying God when you don’t know what will happen. It is also a picture of how God gave His Son Jesus for our sins. If you want to see how to have your sins forgiven and a home in heaven by receiving Jesus as your Saviour, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links”, then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”

Brian Miller 6/13/2022

Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822