Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 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.” (Genesis 22:1-5 NIV)
At the closing of each meditation, right above the signature line, you see the words, “Still committed to the climb.” My purpose today is to motivate you to stay committed to the climb on your upward journey to your heavenly home. Like Abraham in the familiar text above, you will face tests to see if you will adhere to the instructions that you receive from God, brought to your attention by means of a variety of communication alternatives; personal study, preaching, persuasion of the Holy Spirit, and presentations during your weekly Bible Study or church conferences. How you handle such tests will reveal whether you are committed to the climb…still.
Like Abraham, you will be torn between what you prefer to do and what the Lord presents to you to do. Like Abraham, you will be tested to see if you your love for someone or something else supersedes your love for God. I want you to see the similarities. Abraham could respond by ignoring God’s word or by immediately abiding by His word. He would be conflicted and challenged. He might have to choose between faith and fear; faith in God, compared to the fear of losing something. In our lives, we will face those types of tests when it comes to how we perform our secular jobs, how we go up to “higher ground” in a relationship, how we ascend the mountain called the aging process, and whether or not we will do everything, as unto the Lord.
Like Abraham, the climb up your figurative mountain make take some work. It may take some time before you arrive at the place that God is directing you to go. It may mean you have to make sense out of what seems to be senseless. It may mean your degree of belief in the fact that God is a promise keeper will be checked out. But, just like Abraham, you must stay committed to the climb…still. And like Abraham, you should speak words of faith to reinforce every step you take to be obedient to the Lord. You saw when Abraham told his servants, “We, (Abraham and Isaac) will come back to you!” Keep talking and walking by faith and stay committed to the climb my friend…still.
The going may not be easy. The going on of thoughts in your mind may try to inhibit you or prohibit you from going forward, complying with the Lord’s instructions, both those expressed in few words and those spoken that involve many words. But let me help you out! Do you mind? Alright then! Here is what you do. In spite of the difficulty of the “going,” remember God. He is still the One who provides! He is still Jehovah-Jireh! He is still One who will never break His promises! He is still the One ready to send a blessing, ready to come out of a thicket to relieve your burdensome disposition! Trust Him. He is still the One who prefers that you stay committed to the climb…still!
Yes, remember God is in your corner. He did not call you to leave you totally on your own. You see, if you walk on by faith, He will show up and He will show up, right on time. Do you need proof. Well, read the closing passage and be energized to be committed to the climb…still! Have a great day! Be blessed!
“Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but 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. When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram[ caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.” ” (Genesis 22:7-13 NIV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King