Unquestioning
Obedience
Abraham built an
altar there and…bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar.
Genesis 22:9
As Lee related the story of her
sister’s miraculous survival of such a horrific accident, the
clarity of God’s intervention sharpened with each detail.
She began by sharing about her father’s
unconditional dedication to God. “In 1994, my father was called to
a seven day fast. Unclear as to the why of it, he unquestioningly
obeyed God’s directive of just seven sips of water each day.”
Continuing, Lee’s voice caught as the
memory of her sister’s struggle came rushing back, “Not long
after Daddy’s fast, my sister, Kim, was in a terrible wreck. Her
car hit a huge rock, flipped end over end, rolling several times, and
finally came to rest with the engine literally sitting in her lap.
With numerous life-threatening injuries, she endured twenty-two hours
of surgery just to reattach her feet.” Tears formed as she composed
herself, the personal knowledge of God’s favor evident.
“Many years later, Daddy told us that
God revealed to him that his obedience in that fast, doing exactly as
God directed, had saved Kim’s life. God had been ready to take Kim
home, but restored her to perfect health because of Daddy’s
faithfulness. She even became pregnant, delivering a healthy baby
girl, despite the doctor’s prognosis that she would never bare
children!”
†
Lee’s account gives new meaning to
God’s edict that, “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” 1Samuel
15:22 Not all
who are called to fast will be asked to do so not knowing that their
failure to obey might cost them their child’s life.
We may never see the fruit of our
conformity, or know the consequences of our disobedience. But the
importance of our unquestioning surrender to God is paramount in His
ability to use us for the work of His Kingdom. He wants to know if we
can be trusted to sacrifice our most precious possessions in order to
carry out His plan.
Abraham, in light of his prior
disobedience, and knowing that Isaac represented God’s promise, was
willing to sacrifice his son. It is God’s desire that when He
calls…we unquestioningly obey, leaving the future in His capable
hands.
Prayer
“Teach me to respond
immediately when You call, LORD. Give me strength
and courage to trust in Your unconditional and fathomless love. In
Jesus’ Name, amen.”
Inspired by: Alereata
“Lee” Thompson
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