TRUST

Trust is fundamental to every human relationship. However trust is so fragile, it must be earned and maintained by honesty and integrity. When I trust you, I need to be confident that you are on my side. When the stakes are high, and I do not understand your actions, I squash the fear and vulnerability by reminding myself that I trust you – until otherwise proven.

We tend to project the same inconsistencies on God. However God is unchangeable. He is exactly who He says He is and you can rely on Him. When we pray, we know that God hears us and we can trust Him to answer our prayers. When circumstances are confusing, we can trust that God would make everything work together for our good.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Prov. 3:5-6

Abraham trusted God with his life. He trusted God with the result and the method. Before Abraham met God his life was uneventful. His beautiful wife Sarai was barren and no medical intervention had been successful. Without an heir, Abraham’s future was uncertain.

However things changed when God initiated a covenant with Abraham and blessed him. God promised to give him a son and descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. Suddenly Abraham moved from a barren situation to being the father of many nations. The blessing of God changed Abraham’s life forever! Isaac was the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise.

“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.” Genesis 22:2

What! Surely God did not mean that! Isaac is the fulfillment of the covenant. Why is God asking for him as a sacrifice? What would happen to the covenant?

Abraham had a choice – he could refuse to follow the instruction assuming that there must have been a mistake – even though he knew God and had followed His voice several times in the past. The second choice is the worst nightmare of any father – follow God’s instruction and kill Isaac. Shivering in terror he decided to follow God’s instruction. He knew the voice of God and he was going to obey – emotions didn’t count! He trusted God enough to obey, even though it didn’t make sense.

Abraham did not ask God any question. The instruction was clear. God specifically mentioned Isaac’s name, so Abraham could not conveniently misinterpret the instruction and sacrifice Ishmael (the son he had through his maid).

Interestingly, Abraham believed that Isaac would return home with him. At the base of the mountain, “He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” Genesis 22:5

At a point, Isaac spoke up and said to Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and 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

Abraham trusted God! He knew that God would show up. He knew that God was faithful and no matter how confusing things look, God would make a way. God did indeed provide a ram for the sacrifice and swore by Himself to greatly bless Abraham and establish him.

You can trust God – He will never let you down.

God is faithful and He will take care of you. Release the weight of your cares to Him, you will never be disappointed. No matter what the situation looks like, trust God – He really does have your best interest at heart. He will make it all work together for your good!

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11