Lying on my sofa, consumed with fear and shaking uncontrollably, I knew God was my only hope; my greatest need was to learn what it meant to trust Him with a child! That period in my life became the training ground from which endurance would be welded into my soul as even darker days of despair would test my trust in Him. Looking back, I see how He was in the fires with me as well as beside the loved one I was watching walk a difficult road. Yes, God is always, continuously working his plan to grow and test followers who will lift up and light up the world with His astounding, dazzling Joy.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness . . .” (James 1:2, ESV).

“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts” (Proverbs 17:3).

There was a man who felt the heat of the furnace like no other as he was tested beyond something we could never comprehend: taking the life of his very own son. But even before –The Greatest Test, Abraham passed various training ordeals where God welded iron into his soul.

He was chosen by God to be the father of the Hebrew nation in whom the Savior of the world would come. We first meet this man in Scripture when his name was Abram (Genesis 11:26). And quite ironically, Abram is married to a woman who was barren (Genesis 11:30). Abram would need to learn to trust a God he could not see, a God who was calling him out of his native land, from his many relatives, and his father’s family, to go to a land he did not know, and eventually, for God to make him a father (Genesis 12 & 22). This man, called to leave everything familiar behind and live as a nomad, was given the promise that the Savior of the world would come from his descendants. So, God changes Abram’s name to Abraham, which means “father of many nations” (Genesis 17:5). And with this name change God promised to give him a son but remember Abraham was married to an infertile woman, which means his name change quite possibly caused laughter and incessant mocking from those he met. Hence, he had to trust God with Sarah’s womb, a 10-year ordeal of trusting and waiting. And finally, Issac was born.

“Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham . . .” (Genesis 22, NASB).

However, Abraham’s greatest test came when God called him to take his son (who would have been a young man now), his only son, the son whom he loved, and offer him up as a burnt offering (Genesis 22:2). This was a test to see if Abraham loved God more than he loved his son whom God had given him. How shocking this must have been to Abraham! Why would God keep His promise to give him a son only to ask for Isaac back? Even if Abraham did not understand the test, he knew God could be trusted (Genesis 22:2). God previously said that He would make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and had promised to send the deliverer through Isaac (Genesis 15:5; 17:19). Abraham put his full trust in God.

God could be completely trusted, and He had a rescue plan in mind (Genesis 22:12). Abraham passed the test and God provided a ram which was offered up in Isaac’s place (Genesis 22:13).

Many years later, another Son climbed that same hill, carrying wood on His back. Like Isaac had carried the wood for the burnt offering, trusting his Father, this Son also trusted His Father. Like Issac, He did not struggle or run away but obediently went to the cross. Who was he? God’s Son, his only Son—the Son he loved. The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

God can be trusted with whatever you may find yourself going through. Whether it be with a child, a marriage, a job, an illness, or some other difficulty looming large, God is worthy of our trust!

The Bible teaches: it is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). God helps us learn to trust Him by the things we experience in this life. Consider the following passages of Scripture:

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial . . ..” James 1:12

“So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:7

Are you trusting in God no matter the test and pressing on in faith? (2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:7-14)

Abraham’s faith was rewarded. But even more important than Abraham’s faith is the faithful God in whom he trusted!