Immediate Obedience
God said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go
to the region of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of
the mountains of which I will tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the
morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and his
son Isaac …(Gen 22:2,3).
God’s command was, “Take now,” not later. Isn’t it amazing our tendency to
sometimes debate the odds! We know something is right, but often try and
find excuses for not doing it immediately.
When God spoke, Abraham did not speculate or look for the opinions of
others “He did not confer with flesh and blood”. Neither did Paul confer with
flesh and blood to discover the content of the gospel. He didn’t need to,
because the gospel was revealed directly to him by Jesus. (Gal 1:16)
Beware of when you want to confer with flesh and blood, or even your own
thoughts, insights, or understandings – any revelation that is not based on
your personal relationship with God. Neither did Abraham choose what the
sacrifice would be – always guard against self-chosen service for God, it
might impair your effectiveness in your efforts for the kingdom.
If the providential will of God means a time of difficulty for you, go through
with it. But never decide on the place of your own martyrdom, as if to say, I
will go thus far, but definitely no further. You must go through the trial without
making any assumptions, because in going through the trial you learn to
know God better, which is of course our supreme desire.
God is working in us His highest intentions – until His purpose and our
purpose become one.