"And He said, 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…"
Back in the early days of the Bible, there lived a man named Abraham, a holy and obedient servant to God. When God spoke, His servant Abraham listened with attentive ears, as should all of God's servants. In this particular instance, God asked something of Abraham, something that belonged to God already, something that God loved. It was Abraham's truly beloved son, Isaac, the son through whom the line of Jesus, our Savior, would descend, the son of promise. It wasn't an offering that could easily be given up. Is it easy to give up what God so tenderly gave to us? Our lives, our families' lives, and all that we hold dear and for which we thank Him daily? This is what our loving Father asks. The Bible says He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. All came from Him, He made all, and all is His. It is the very least we can do to give Him all to be laid on the altar of sacrifice.
When we give something to God, we know that the outcome will be perfect. We know that God is Love, and His ways are higher than our ways. Abraham knew that the moment he would lay his son on the altar as an offering to God, that His Father's perfect plan would take over, that the promise would be fulfilled, that Isaac would be kept in the palm of God's hand, and be free to serve only Him. Abraham trusted God with the thing dearest to him, his son, and this is the highest cost a man or woman can know. God walked this way before us, as He Himself paid the cost, and freely gave His Son to all humanity, answering all need for forgiveness.
Now, let's make this personal. As a newly expectant mother, I have gone through some high costs in the past year. Even now, I feel the call to hand over the reins to my God, and allow my forming child to be placed on the altar of my God's will and in His hand of care. Father knows best! I believe that when He blesses me with the opportunity to hold, raise, and nurture this little one, it will be God's direction, love, and care, working through me. What He has given me is not mine to hide to myself. Nothing is mine. I am in the palm of His hand, and so is this living, growing, praising baby. Also cherished in His hand is the little one who has gone from me into the Kingdom of Heaven. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. The Lord receives our offerings, and the Lord blesses greatly with His gifts...Blessed be the Name of the Lord!
~ Kara Heather Frantz
