'...THEY THAT WORSHIP HIM...' 3. ABRAHAM
“Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering" (Genesis 22:7-8 NKJV)
Here is a story of The Great Exchange: A great king sent his son, the heir to his throne on a royal visit to one of his colonies. The son got there visited the prison where he saw a notorious prisoner in chains awaiting execution. He listened to the prisoner's story, was moved with compassion and resolved to free him. Upon getting back to his father's kingdom, the son left a note there and went back to the prisoner in the colony. He exchanged his royal robes with the prisoner's clothes which allowed the criminal to walk out a free man. The son also handed the prisoner a note to his father the great king. The very next day the executioners came, took away the son now in the prisoner's clothes and executed him by hanging. The prisoner, now in royal robes, got back to the kingdom, presented the note authorizing him to become heir to the throne in the son's place! That was what Christ did - died the death of sinners and made them heirs to the kingdom of God.
Building an acceptable altar of worship for God may involve certain key things: 1)Obedience. God said to Abraham, “Take now 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.” (Gen. 22:2). Abraham promptly obeyed God's command to sacrifice to Him on an altar without question. He fully submitted to God's will not weighing the options(vs.3). 2)Supplies. Abraham quickĺy gathered from around him the resources necessary to obey God - materials, men and [money]. God's work never lacks God's provision (Ex.36:5-7; Phil.4:19). 3)Resilience. It took Abraham three days journey to reach the place chosen by God for the sacrifice. It takes share strength to follow God's directives to the end in the face of uncertainties without turning back or giving up. 4)Faith. 'Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” ' (Gen. 22:5). Abraham believed strongly that not only will the purposed sacrifice be accomplished, he would also come back with his son! 5)Trust in God. And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering” '(Gen. 22:8). The basis of Abraham's faithful compliance was His trust in God to accomplish whatever He set out to achieve through him if he obeyed. 6)Miracle. The 'ram in the thicket' had probably been there all along, but God only opened Abraham's eyes after he passed the test of obedience. God may not show up with the miracle until the due time to fulfil His own purpose had come!
Above are ingredients of acceptable worship. In spite of all odds, Abraham worshiped God as He required of him. Some have observed that Abraham's substituted sacrifice took place about the same place as Calvary where Jesus was sacrificed that those in bondage may become free.
olusegunisaac2018@gmail.com
Building an acceptable altar of worship for God may involve certain key things: 1)Obedience. God said to Abraham, “Take now 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.” (Gen. 22:2). Abraham promptly obeyed God's command to sacrifice to Him on an altar without question. He fully submitted to God's will not weighing the options(vs.3). 2)Supplies. Abraham quickĺy gathered from around him the resources necessary to obey God - materials, men and [money]. God's work never lacks God's provision (Ex.36:5-7; Phil.4:19). 3)Resilience. It took Abraham three days journey to reach the place chosen by God for the sacrifice. It takes share strength to follow God's directives to the end in the face of uncertainties without turning back or giving up. 4)Faith. 'Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” ' (Gen. 22:5). Abraham believed strongly that not only will the purposed sacrifice be accomplished, he would also come back with his son! 5)Trust in God. And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering” '(Gen. 22:8). The basis of Abraham's faithful compliance was His trust in God to accomplish whatever He set out to achieve through him if he obeyed. 6)Miracle. The 'ram in the thicket' had probably been there all along, but God only opened Abraham's eyes after he passed the test of obedience. God may not show up with the miracle until the due time to fulfil His own purpose had come!
Above are ingredients of acceptable worship. In spite of all odds, Abraham worshiped God as He required of him. Some have observed that Abraham's substituted sacrifice took place about the same place as Calvary where Jesus was sacrificed that those in bondage may become free.
olusegunisaac2018@gmail.com
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