Song # 1036.1 from Our Gospel In Song Collection by Col Johnston. In the Book of Genesis we read in chapter 22 that Abraham was put to the test by God, to determine his faithfulness to God. Abraham was to slay his only son Isaac as a burnt offering to show his complete loyalty to God.
God said to Abraham “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about” (Genesis 22:2). Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about (Genesis 22:3). On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance (Genesis 22:4). 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). Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together (Genesis 22:6), Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied “The fire and wood are here” Isaac said “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” (Genesis 22:7). Abraham answered “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son” and the two of them went on together (Genesis 22:8). When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood (Genesis 22:9). Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son (Genesis 22:10). But the Angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I am” he replied (Genesis 22:11). “Do not lay a hand on the boy” said the Angel. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son” (Genesis 22:12).
Thought for today: Abraham trusted God completely, even to the point where he was prepared to sacrifice his only son.
Thought for the future: no-one is more secure than those in God’s hands. Where will you spend your eternity?