"In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah." Psalm 44:8
What great things have you accomplished in your lifetime? What gifts and talents do you possess and seek to use for the greater good? Let me tell you about where you got them and Who gave them to you. But first, let me tell you a historical account. There was a nation whose forefathers boasted of great works done in their day. Works such as: having a heathen nation cast out of their own land, and this new nation being planted there, as a replacement. The thing was, they didn't gain this land on their own. It didn't become their possession because of how well they wielded a sword, or how strong their arm was. No, these forefathers did not take the route we often do, boasting in ourselves and of all that WE accomplished. They boasted in another, in God Almighty, by whose right hand and holy arm they received this Promised Land. (Read more about Israel in Psalm 44:1-8) Now, back to our gifts and talents. I guess my point is this: all of our "smarts", gifts, and strengths exist within us because God gave them to us. He created us with these talents, to use for His purposes. What do we do with this knowledge? Let's strive to follow the example of Israel's forefathers and boast in the One who gave us not only our talents, but life, grace, mercy, and so much more. Truly, without Him, we can do nothing. (John 15:5b) Boast in God, friends. :)
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Something wasn't right.
The thought in the back of my mind niggled me as Father and I started our trek up toward the mountain top. I carried the wood my father had chopped before the start of our journey three days ago; he carried the tools necessary to start a fire and to kill the sacrificial lamb. Wait. That's what we're missing! "My father." I broke the silence that had fallen between us. Ever since we'd left our servants behind, my father had grown more somber and thoughtful. The lines on his brow didn't smooth out as I'd hoped they would. He glanced at me. "Here am I, my son." I took a deep breath, my heart beating in an unfamiliar cadence. "Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" My father was silent for a moment, as we continued our upward trek. "My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering." He finally said. At last, we came to the place father had been informed of by the Almighty, where we were to offer up our burnt offering. Father gathered stones from the surrounding area and erected an altar. Next, he laid out the wood in a certain order. But still, there was no lamb like my father had said there would be. Uneasiness stole through me and intensified when father came toward me with a rope. My gaze tangled with his, and his expression told me the truth in every single terrifying detail. I was the lamb to be offered up on the altar. Quiet terror rippled through me as he bound me with the rope and carried me to the altar. He set me atop the wood and stones, all laid out, and stretched out his arm. That's when I saw the knife, its blade gleaming in the sunlight. I squeezed my eyes shut. Who could have imagined a more terrifying ending? Life flashed before me--and mother. What would she say if she knew? A whimper escaped from my lips. Any moment now, it would all be over. My breath tangled in my throat and fear threatened to strangle me of its own accord. It came then--a rumbling of thunder and a voice that seemed to come from somewhere above us, calling for my father. "Abraham, Abraham." I opened one eye, to look around, but saw no one. "Here am I." My father trembled, the knife still in his grasp. My stomach twisted at the sight. Again, the rumbling and the voice came for a second time. "Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me." Relief swelled through me and the same look reflected on my father's face as he yanked off my bonds and took me off the altar. His hands trembled as they clasped my shoulders, and he blinked back the mist in his eyes. Looking over my shoulder, he suddenly grew still and his eyes went wide. I followed the direction of his gaze. There, not far from us, stood a ram, struggling to free himself from the tangle of a thicket in his horns. I breathed in a sense of awe and wonder. God had provided us a lamb after all, and I couldn't be more grateful to Almighty God--Jehovahjireh--for sparing my life. (For more on this account, read Genesis 22:1-18.) So thankful today (and everyday) for the perfect Lamb who sacrificed Himself to save us and gave us this picture of Himself. To God be the Glory! "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32) |
AuthorHi! I'm Carolyn, a writer seeking to glorify God with my words. Archives
February 2024
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