A Sacrifice on the Altar

What if you realized God gave you very specific desires with the sole intent of asking you to sacrifice those on the altar of His sovereignty? Could you do it?

When I say “God gave you” I mean He put into your heart desires for something you never wanted before. All of the sudden your heart is changing and the things you never wanted are now your deepest desire. These things are good, and kingdom forward, and (from your perspective) God-blessed and God-driven, and you’re excited for the future they promise…and then God says, now lay them down.

It’s not much different than Abraham and Isaac. God promised them a baby – it took much longer than anticipated, for sure. They desired his promise so much that Sarah sent Abraham in with her servant to try and make it come true. (Bad move, by the way.) And then one day, Isaac was born to Sarah. Several years later,

"Abraham!” [said God] And he said, “Here I am.” He [God] said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” – Genesis 22:1-2

Digest that for just a minute. God said, take the son I know you love and sacrifice him as a burnt offering. For Abraham, that would mark the end of his dream.  After so many years of waiting, in one split second God was taking it away. Sacrifice the thing you love, and do it for Me.

So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. – Genesis 22:3

Immediately following the command, Abraham begins to obey. I’ve read this story many times, but there was one thing I didn’t notice until now. It was the immediate next verse that Abraham obeyed, but between those two verses was an entire night. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to know what happened between those two verses. I almost certainly know Abraham didn’t tell Sarah anything – I’m a mother, there is no way Sarah would have gone down without a fight. Abraham handled this alone.

What went through his head?

Did he waiver in his commitment?

Did he question God?

Did he silently bargain – please, anything else…take my own life as an offering, but spare Isaac. How many times did he go back and forth, determining whether he would obey? Was he tormented by the task awaiting the morning light?

We all have flesh, so I can’t imagine that Abraham didn’t go through all those emotions. Even when you’re set on God’s will over your own, you still struggle when you don’t understand. And yet, despite the questions and fear and sadness that Abraham inevitably felt – the next morning he got up and obeyed.

The things of this world, no matter how pretty they’re packaged in a “godly” bow, are still just that – the things of this world. As believers, we’re called to be separate from this world, which includes a lot of sacrifice of things that the world says are good – money, accomplishments, status…even children. To be completely surrendered to the will of God for your life, is to be willing to lay down the deepest desires of your own heart in faith that God’s plan for you is bigger and better than you can imagine.

So, what are you willing to sacrifice?

Is it easier if you know whatever you’re asked to let go of is the “lesser option”?

Do you believe that God has your best interest at heart?

These are questions we all must ask ourselves, because sooner or later God will ask you to lay something down – and it may be something you didn’t realize you were holding so tightly.