January 9th

What's Your Motivation?
Fear or Trust?

Do you remember our January 7^th reading (Gen. 19)?  Lot was visited by angels sent from the Lord to destroy Sodom, with the exception of the righteous (Lot and his family).  The angels arrive with a plan and the power to carry it out.  Lot's response: panic and fear.  He tries to take control from the moment he meets the angels at the city gates.  When the men of  Sodom came to him and demanded the angels be turned over to them Lot willingly and without hesitation offers, not just one, but both of his daughters for the men to have and to do with as they please in exchange for the angels to be spared.  This was not God's plan.  He never asked for Lot to do this nor did God need/want it.  The angels pull Lot back inside, blind the men of the town, and tell Lot and his family to flee immediately because Sodom will be destroyed.  Lot was shown the power of the angels, warned to flee, and told of God's plan of destruction.

 

Lot's response: (19:16) He hesitated.  Why?  He didn't hesitate to offer up his daughters.  Was it the fact that he had vast wealth that he had to leave behind, wealth that meant more to him then his own flesh and blood?  Was it a lack of belief that God would actually destroy the whole city?  Was it fear of the unknown?  We don't know why but he hesitated.  As you keep reading the story (Chpt. 19) you will continue to see Lot question God's direction because of his fears and lack of trust.

 

Fast forward to today's reading (Chpt. 22).  Abraham, after many years of waiting, finally receives from the Lord the promised son through whom God would bless him - Isaac.  After he has had Isaac for some time and his love for him has deepened, God says: "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah.  Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."  No explanation as to why.  No explanation as to how Isaac can be sacrificed and still be the one through whom God will establish his covenant.  It makes no sense.  It's simply a command given that is to be obeyed.  

 

Abraham's response: Early the next morning (not afternoon or evening, immediately) Abraham got up and got everything together to go and sacrifice his son.  On the way there he says to Isaac, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son."  What amazing trust this display's.  He goes to the mountain, builds the altar, ties up his son, raises the knife to give his most prized possession back to the Lord and God says, "Don't lay a hand on the boy, do not do anything to him.  Now I know you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."

 

Do you see the difference in these two responses, in these two men?

God calls each of us to trust him and to be willing to sacrifice whatever he may ask of us.

 

For Lot, he was to trust that God was in control and had the power to do that which he saw fit to do.  The sacrifice was to give up his most prized possessions, to leave behind everything and trust God and go – so that he would be spared.  Lot was ready to give up his daughters out of fear and distrust without hesitation.  He didn't trust that God had a plan and would provide a way out.  Lot saw the power and was given an explanation yet he still hesitated.  Destruction was literally knocking at his door and he hesitated.  The rest of his life was full of fear and isolation.

 

For Abraham he too was to trust that God was in control and had the power to do that which he saw fit to do.  The sacrifice was to give up his most prized possession, his one and only son and trust God to still keep his promises.  Abraham didn't try to talk God out of it or question his reasoning.  He didn't ask for an explanation and he wasn't offered one.  He trusted that God had a plan and would provide a way out.  Without explanation Abraham obeyed immediately.  In return God greatly blessed Abraham.

 

Are you an Abraham or a Lot?

 

When God calls you to do things in this life do you try to offer him something else in exchange, something a little less painful to part with?

When God calls you to sacrifice do you hesitate and try to determine what the lose will be to you or do you trust his plan and ability to provide what he knows you will need?

What makes you hesitate instead of acting in immediate obedience and trust?

When God calls you to sacrifice do you believe he has something greater in store for you then that which you hold dear?

What do you hold onto with clenched fists and how can you learn to hold it with open palms? 

Are you motivated by fear or trust?

Do you want to live in uncertainty and fear or in the blessings that God has planned for you? 

 

If you want to live like Abraham you have to answers these questions and know what your stumbling blocks may be.

 

God wants you to have an abundant life in HIM but first you have to know…
What does God want you to be willing to sacrifice and what are you willing to give him?

Now trust him!