OCTOBER 15

BECAUSE THOU HAST…

“Because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: - because thou hast obeyed My voice.” (Gen. 22:16,18)

The context from which these verses are taken is the record of the time when Abraham was called upon to offer his son Isaac in sacrifice unto the Lord. Abraham proceeded to carry out the command, believing that if necessary God would raise up Isaac from the dead. God intervened and provided the ram caught in the thicket - thus the sacrifice was offered, and then the promise which God had given before was now repeated with renewed emphasis.

There is no dichotomy between the fact that it is “GOD which worketh in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure” and our “working out our own salvation with fear and trembling,” (Phil. 2:12-13), because our responsive action rightly follows that which He has worked into us. It was god that enabled Abraham to follow through the procedure of offering Isaac in sacrifice. It was God who provided the ram caught in the thicket. It truly was GOD ALL THE WAY. Yet it follows, twice written, “because thou hast…” and it is herein that we find the dual qualifications necessary even in our own life and development.

“Because thou hast obeyed My voice.” ‘Jesus said,’ My sheep hear My voice… and they follow Me.” (John 10:27). Furthermore, “Obedience is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” (1 Sam. 15:22). God hasn’t asked for great works, mighty accomplishments. He only desires our complete obedience. We are not required to take one step beyond that which God reveals for us to take, but as He does speak, we are to have a listening ear, and be swift to give obedience to His directive.

“Because thou hast… not withheld thy son.” Because we will not withhold one iota from God. There is a willing surrender, total commitment, that brings His unmeasureable blessings to us.

Lord, here I am, though I stand a naked soul,
But in my being a truth doth roll,
The God who sets the captives free,
Shall give even more, much more to me.

Ray Prinzing