What's For Dinner?

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Genesis 22:1-12 (NIV)
Abraham Tested

1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!"

"Here I am," he replied.

2 Then God said, "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."

3 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. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over here. We will worship and then we will come back to you."

6 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, 7 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?"

8 Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.

9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!"

"Here I am," he replied.

12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "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."

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O gracious Father, what is man that You are mindful of him?

Dear God, how great is Your love. You, who could not bear to see Your servant sacrificing his son, yet gave Your only Son to die for the world.

O dear God, how great is Your love indeed! Who am I to deserve Your love, but You poured it out unto me, blessing me, and providing me with everything I ever needed. What can I ever give back to You?

If ever I'm tested by You, I pray for a heart of Abraham, a heart of Job. It may be hard, but teach me to be ever prayerful, giving You glory and praise at every turn of my life.

Mold me from miry clay to be an effective vessel for Your work. May I be a living sacrifice, to be found worthy as Your son who reflects Jesus' image, giving unto You my all.

By You I live, for You I die. Ye and amen, praises to You forevermore.