Waiting Time - Growing Time

Hebrews 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 19 Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
 
HEBREWS’ reference here is from God’s command to Abraham: Genesis 22:2 “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.” Much has been written, taught and preached on this extreme test God placed on his chosen servant. Many devout people have said, “I would have told God, ‘No!’ on this one.”
    But Abraham faithfully said, “Yes, Lord.” He traveled three days to the mountain. He  prepared the altar, tied Isaac to the altar and raised a knife to slay him.
    What was God doing? Hadn’t Abraham waited 25 years for Isaac? Had God not promised Abraham his descendants would be more numerous than the sands on the seashore? How could Abraham take his son to the altar?
    The answer comes within the journey. As they neared the mountain, Isaac asked, “Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Then Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. (Genesis 22:7-8)
    We breathe a sigh of relief when the angel holds Abraham’s hand: “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “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.” We are grateful the merciful God provided a substitute ram in the thicket. And once more God confirms his covenant with Abraham: “Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.” (Genesis 22:18)
    Yes, Abraham needed faith to first leave his home when God called him to go to Canaan. With some struggles, Abraham remained faithful as he waited for Isaac’s birth. But Abraham’s depth of faith to intend to slay his only son is beyond measure. Such faith can only come from a deep, reverent trust in God’s to know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) Perhaps the long distance to travel from Haran to Canaan and the 25 years of waiting for Isaac’s birth were God’s way of deepening Abraham’s faith for this moment. Time waiting on God is Gold’s growing time. He uses the waiting to gather you into a more personal, trusting relationship with him. If God had quickly given him Isaac, Abraham would not as deeply experienced God’s presence, patience and power to fulfill his promises. Abraham was able to take his son to the mountain because his faith told him “God himself will provide the lamb.” Abraham knew God’s provision amid the impossible.
    Abraham was right that day. And he was right about God’s future substitute. About 2,000 years later, God did provide the lamb who takes away the sins of the world. It is believed that God took his Son, his only son, to that same mountain. In faith, Jesus went to the cross. In faith the Son obeyed the Father’s will to be your substitute for God’s wrath.
    Be encouraged in your waiting time. Know it is a time God wants you to more personally know his patience, presence and power to complete his promises to you.