Here It Is (I Worship You)

One of the wildest stories in the Bible is the story of Abraham and Isaac. In Genesis 22, God instructs Abraham to sacrifice his only son as a burnt offering. Reading this should stop us in our tracks. It might even feel intense and stir up a lot of questions. Why would God require such a thing from Abraham? What was this exercise all about? And if you’re a parent, it might affect you in an even more personal way, making your heart beat a little faster. These questions carry a lot of weight, so how would we respond to such an ask?

We see in Genesis 22: 1-3 how Abraham responded… “Sometime later, God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

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.”

God’s ask and Abraham’s obedience happen in three verses. God instructs, and Abraham moves into action. He wakes up early and gets going. Ultimately, Abraham does not end up sacrificing Isaac. God provides a ram at the last second and Isaac’s life is spared. The point is that Abraham trusted God and loved Him most of all. He was willing to put the most important thing in his life on the altar if that’s what God was asking of him.

Today, the sacrifice of praise that God wants most of all is our heart. That innermost part of who we are. That place where our hopes, dreams, desires, and affections reside. There is a throne there. Who or what is on that throne?

God asked for the most treasured thing in Abraham’s life, and Abraham answered, “Here

it is.”

He’s asking you and me the same question. What will our answer be?