“Father?”
“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.
“The fire and the wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”
And the two of them went on together.”
Genesis 22:7-8
We like to think our sacrifice is nobel, but in truth, all we ever have to offer is first from the Father’s hand. We are destitute, empty handed before a Mighty King. In unfathomable grace, He bends low to pour provision into our lives. One would think such an act would forever mark us with the truth of His goodness, and the source of our blessing, and yet somehow it becomes distorted, skewed… Soon, we believe we manufactured it all ourselves and before you know it, we are attempting to control everything in our paths…even our sacrifice.
Oswald Chambers said it like this-
“Abraham did not choose what the sacrifice would be. Always gaurd against self-chosen service for God. Self-sacrifice may be a disease that impairs your service. If God has made your cup sweet drink it with grace; or even if he has made it bitter, drink it in communion with Him.”
“Father,
My human nature is fraught with striving, forever craving the deadly power of control. Grant me the grace today to walk beside you in child-like trust drinking the cup you place before me whether it be bitter or sweet.”
-Amen