January 9th - To Will God's Will

To Will God’s Will

(Genesis 22 - 23)

The Sacrifice of Isaac

by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio

(1601-02)

How we struggle to will God’s will. Yet, a single glimpse at God’s wondrous sense of order may reaffirm our confidence in His unfathomable wisdom.

Today we have read about Abraham’s heart-wrenching trial of faith. After waiting a quarter of a century to see God’s personal promise realized with the arrival of a son, Abraham’s worst nightmare arrived. The Lord asked him to sacrifice his beloved only son Isaac on the altar at Mount Moriah.

And Abraham obeyed.

He took the boy, loaded up the firewood and headed for the mountain of sacrifice. There, this devoted father tied his own son and raised his blade to slay him, in obedience to the Lord. Abraham proved he loved the Lord even more than his own child.

Jesus spoke of this level of commitment, when He instructed His followers about counting to cost of following Him:

"If anyone comes to Me

and does not hate his father and mother,

his wife and children,

his brothers and sisters

— yes, even his own life —

he cannot be My disciple.”

(Luke 14:26, NIV)

At the appointed moment, as soon as Abraham demonstrated his faithful obedience, the Lord intervened and provided the sacrifice Himself.

What a wonderful God! How He must have felt at that moment, knowing that this entire event foreshadowed the day when He would sacrifice His own Son at Calvary.

Where is Mount Moriah?

Our great God of wisdom and order orchestrated a stunning pattern of history at this very geographical spot. Mount Moriah, the site where Abraham offered his son Isaac to the Lord (see Genesis 22), was also the spot where Jacob later saw the angels traveling up and down the stairway to Heaven (see Genesis 28:10-18).

This same location would be chosen for Solomon’s Temple. The Ark of the Covenant would sit on this very site (see 1 Kings 8:11).

Joseph and Mary would bring young Jesus to this place to dedicate Him to the Lord. Here, Simeon and Anna would rejoice at the coming of the long-awaited Savior of the world (see Luke 2:22-39).

Map of Jerusalem, showing Mount Moriah.

Historical Textbook and Atlas of Biblical Geography

Public Domain - Coleman (1854)

Surely, God carries the course of history in His hands.Will we ask our loving Lord for the will to do God’s will?

“I desire to do Your will, O my God;

Your law is within my heart."

(Psalm 40:8, NIV)

“Teach me to do Thy will;

for Thou art my God:

Thy spirit is good;

lead me into the land of uprightness.”

(Psalm 143:10, KJV)

“May Your Kingdom come soon.
May Your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.”

(Matthew 6:10, NLT)

Will you pray with me?

Sovereign Lord and Master,

How we long to long for your will.

Build our faith.

Make us worthy of Your calling.

Guide us daily,

And instill in us the desire

To desire more of You.

Give us the will

To do Your will.

We praise You.

Amen.