We want to testify to give God all the praises and glory to His Name!
In 1998, God directed us to relocate nearer to the slum area in Myanmar. As rents for housing kept going up each year, we decided to buy a house. When it was time to leave, we seek His will. The word that came was “Let Go”. We took it that the LORD wanted us to let go of this house so we gave it to the Bible College. It became a blessing in their various ministries. In His wisdom, the LORD led us to make a verbal agreement that in the event that it is sold, a portion of the proceed will be returned to us. In our walk with the LORD we have learned to hold everything with open hands.
In 2013, our daughter Matilda told us that she believes God is directing her to study the Hebrew language but one of her concerns was finance. We told her that if she knows that this is of God then she has to obey. By faith we encouraged her to apply and we trusted the LORD to provide for her needs. So now she is studying at a Bible College in Jerusalem, Israel. As we look back, we want to give God all the praises and glory to His Name! HE is the Jehovah-Jireh. The Bible College decided to sell and honoured the agreement. The amount we received is the exact amount for Matilda’s study. Indeed, the LORD has provided for her needs. Praise the LORD!
Our daily lives are built around people and things we enjoy: a spouse, children, friends, a job, a hobby, possessions, future plans etc. But there are times when God says “Let go!” Abraham went through the test of obedience (Genesis 22). God tested Abraham (v1). The real tests take place in the course of our lives. We see that Abraham’s obedience was based on faith. Are we willing to do whatever we can to walk with God? The real test is when we are asked to do something difficult. If God is calling us to let go of something today, will we?
Abraham’s test intensifies (v6-8) and his response demonstrated his faith in God. His reply, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son” what he was saying is, “God will see to it.” We need to come to a place where we can say, “God is BIG enough to take care of me.”
In Gen22:13-24, we see the blessings of obedience. God blesses us by providing:
1. the things that HE requires of us (v13-14). God Himself provided the ram. Abraham named that place “The LORD will provide” (Yahweh Yireh) or literally, “The LORD will see.” God is the One who is in the details. HE is the One who will “see to it” that everything is appropriately cared for. Abraham’s faith honoured the LORD and God in turn honoured him. Think about it, while Abraham and Isaac climbed one side of the mountain, a ram was coming up the other side of the mountain! Today, our God is still Jehovah-Jireh.
The ram could not provide the once-and-for-all sacrifice (v8). That high calling was reserved for God’s own dear Son, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself as a ransom for us all. Salvation is recognizing our need of a Saviour and placing our faith in Jesus Christ. Is there anything in our life that we have not been willing to give to the LORD?
2. assurance of His promises (v15-19). It is unusual for God to speak with an oath. But HE did. God renewed His covenant with Abraham. HE was brought to a blessed place of peace, provision and promise, because HE put God ahead of everything else in life. If we really want God’s best, then put God first (Matt 6:33). God isn’t really interested in our “Isaac”. It is us HE wants! Obey Him!
3. for our future needs (v20-24). Gen 22 closes with the happy news that Abraham’s brother Nahor has become the father of 12 sons. The central purpose of this list is to introduce the future bride of Isaac, Rebekah (v23). When we obey God fully we can trust that HE is looking farther ahead than we are. HE is already seeing to it, not only for our future needs, but also the needs of our children. Amen.
Sister Abigail Yeo Sok Lang
