God tested Abraham

“After these things God tested Abraham…”

Genesis 22:1, ESV

God tests us

“Every person’s way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD examines the hearts.”

Proverbs 21:2, NASB

“but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.”

1 Thessalonians 2:4, ESV

Many of the trials we face in this life are testing grounds to reveal our motives!

While John 16:33 says to expect trials in this life, 1 Timothy 1:5 explains the why behind them –God is looking for: pure hearts, good consciences, and sincere faiths.

While testing and trials seem difficult to bear, James 1:2-4 teaches us where to set our minds and experience joy in the process.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

In the very midst of tests and trials we often become fixated on the difficult circumstances and miss the whole purpose. We can only see from our limited and broken view, but God sees the whole of the whole. He is sovereign and His will and His ways are perfect!

Abraham was tested by God to see where his heart and faith stood.

Tony Evans writes,

“Abraham was in the midst of a terrible test. He faced a choice between the blessing and the Blesser, and God wanted to see which he would choose. God wanted to know whether Abraham would let go of his most valued possession and simply worship Him, even when it hurt.”

What are we holding on to so tightly that we are not allowing God to provide a better way? How often have we rejected worshipping God because we did not see the end result we had hoped for? God’s ways are so much higher and unfathomable. When will we trust Him?

Grandfather Mountain, Linville, NC, September 2023