Guest Post by Abigail Hamilton
“By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee…” Gen 22:16-17
I can almost imagine Abraham’s painfully slow steps has he trekked up that mountain with his son Isaac, his only son Isaac. Isaac would then ask, “Father, we have the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb we’re going to sacrifice?”
At those words, Abraham’s heart would be ripped in two. How was he going to break the news to Isaac that he, Isaac, was going to be the sacrifice?
Abraham’s answer…”The Lord will provide.”
Abraham was so sure of this fact that he believed that God would even raise Isaac up from the dead to fulfill the promise of a great seed.
God promised. God provided. But Abraham obeyed. Abraham did not withhold. Abraham did not withhold anything!
I don’t want to withhold.
And for faith to increase,
And have earnestly, fervently prayed.
But you cannot have rest,
Or be perfectly blest,
Until all on the altar is laid.
Would you walk with the Lord
In the light of His Word,
And have peace and contentment alway?
You must do His sweet will
To be free from all ill–
On the altar your all you must lay.
Oh, we never can know
What the Lord will bestow
Of the blessings for which we have prayed,
Till our body and soul
He doth fully control,
And our all on the altar is laid.
Who can tell all the love
He will send from above,
And how happy our hearts will be made,
Of the fellowship sweet
We shall share at His feet
When our all on the altar is laid!
Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blest,
And have peace and sweet rest,
As you yield Him your body and soul.
-Elisha A. Hoffman
Close and searching. Especially coming from a young person (even if she is extra-ordinary). A very good devotional!
Thank you for your part in our lives!