“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.” Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 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.” Genesis 22:2-8 NIV

THE WORD OF THE FATHER WAS GIVEN

Earlier in this story, the Lord and Abram were in a conversation, in which the Lord spoke to Abram about how many descendants that he would have, even in his old age (Genesis 15:4). The Lord confirmed this by establishing a covenant with Abram with the evidence of changing the spelling and the meaning of the names of Abram and Sarai to Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 17:3-15). The word of the Father was given! Abraham would become a great nation, and it would be through the child of promise birthed through Abraham and Sarah, their own flesh and blood.

THE TEST

Later, we see that the Lord was now going to test the word given to Abraham (Genesis 22:1-2). He was asked to take his only son, Isaac, and travel to a distant land to offer him as a burnt offering to the Lord. A word given of this nature would totally seem counterintuitive to the words of the Father spoken earlier. Yet, Abraham did not waiver. He moved in faith the whole time. He prepared the donkeys, the firewood, packed the needed essentials, and brought along two servants to assist in the journey. This is very different from the disciples portrayed in Luke 8:24, who spoke out in fear with the raging storm. Abraham was confident in the character and the word of the Father. He spoke reassuring words to his servants and to his son that they would go worship together, that God would provide the sacrifice, and that Abraham and the boy would return.

THE INTERVENTION

Abraham displayed his obedience to the Father right up to the point of sacrifice. This is where the Lord knew that Abraham had a healthy fear and reverence for the Lord! The timing was perfect! Not only was Isaac saved from sacrifice, but the Lord spoke to Abraham that He would now provide the sacrifice. The ram stuck in the thicket (Genesis 22:13) would provide the needed sacrifice in the moment and the eternal sacrifice would be provided in the future through the sacrifice of His only begotten son, Jesus Christ. This would now fulfill both the word of promise and the word of testing! Truly, His thoughts and His ways are much higher than ours!

MY TIMING IS PERFECT!

I hear the Lord saying, “Stand firm amidst the swirling and the movement that you are feeling! I am working, I am aligning things for your very best! As previously spoken, you are crossing over! My timing is perfect and your times and seasons are truly in My hands. Delay has been broken and forward movement is taking place. If the curtains of what I have for you were pulled back, you would see all that is in the working. You would be ecstatic! See this by faith! The puzzle pieces are quickly coming together and very soon, you will go from waiting to awestruck wonder! I am not bound by natural circumstances or the times set by man. I reign above it all! Lean into Me and allow Me to continue to light your path. Your prayers and petitions have not been in vain!”

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16 ESV

“Do not be afraid to expect the very best outcomes in all situations. I am your good Father and I delight in doing above all that you can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20-21). Do not strive or seek to accomplish things in your own strength or ability. Rather, rest in this word that I will do what I have spoken.”

“So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.”” Zechariah 4:6 NIV

“I am teaching you a new rhythm in this season, incline your ear to Me and allow Me to lead you into this new season. Throw off fear and anxiety and let the peace of God that passes all understanding guard your heart and mind (Philippians 4:7). You will eat the good of the land in this season. Look not to the former season. Truly, I am doing a new thing! Lack has been broken off and abundance shall be your portion! Truly, you will spread out to the right and to the left!“, says the Lord of Hosts.

“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.” Isaiah 54:2 NIV