A Blessing and a Test

When we gathered at the parsonage Sunday night for Bible study we watched the first episode of The Bible mini-series and then discussed some of the issues presented there. We didn't talk about the production value or the creative license although some of us could have gone on too long about that. Instead we used the scenes to draw our attention to spiritual truths. Any time you watch a movie, mini-series, or show with biblical themes, focus on the themes and not on the details. Remember, Hollywood is trying to get people to watch so they might change or embellish a little. But the truths are there so find them a talk about them.

That's what we did Sunday night. Even if you've already seen the mini-series, join us next time because we don't just watch, we dialogue with the story - with the Bible.

The first episode covered from the Beginning to the beginning of Egyptian slavery. When the scene focused on Abraham's almost-sacrifice of Isaac, the narrator said, "To be chosen by God is both a blessing and a test. He [Abraham] must prove his faith again and again." That is a striking statement that might cause recoil at first. One might reject the idea of proving his faith. And some might think God does not test his people.

God will and does test us. He will not tempt us but he will test us. Just like a metal worker tests the material he works with to see if it is strong and pure so God tests his people. To be chosen by God is a great honor. What has he chosen you for? Are you the encourager your co-worker needs? Are you the wise voice among all the confusion your family hears? Are you the helper assisting the down-trodden person? God has chosen you for some ministry. It might not be in an organized setting of the church's meeting times, but then again it might! Listen for God's call and look for ways to move into action.

To prepare you God may test you. And this call to action may be a test to prepare you for the next call. Imagine if Abraham and Sarah had had a son twenty-five or forty years earlier. Would Abraham's faith be strong enough then to obey God's command to sacrifice his son? Probably not, we can't really know. But the years of barrenness were full of faith-tests that seem to have prepared Abraham for this test. Abraham's faith grew stronger through the years so that he was able to take his promised son to the mountaintop and risk losing the only fulfillment of God's Promise that he could see. Even if Isaac was gone, Abraham believed God's Promise from years ago. He knew God would fulfill that promise somehow.

The tests God gives are not to see what you don't know or cannot handle but to see what you do know and can handle. Really, God doesn't need a test in order to know this; he knows all things at all times. But you and I need to know that God is strong and able and loving and protective and present and... So the test of our faith helps us stand more firmly on his faithfulness. And our faith grows with each test - well, if we stand firmly in this test our faith grows and we are prepared for the next test.

The idea that this happens again and again is full of hope! Don't think that you will one day arrive at the highest level of faithfulness you will ever need. Don't think that you may get to a point in life that your faith won't be challenged. When Jesus said that to whom much is given much is required, one thing I hear him saying is that those with strong faith will need it because a situation is coming that will require strong faith.

Whenever you face something that does not stretch your faith you are coasting. Ultimately, something that is coasting slows down and stops. That's a bad situation when talking about walking by faith. Instead of coasting we should want to have the throttle wide open. That will test your faith but it will keep you growing and going.

You can read the story of Abraham (Abram) beginning in Genesis 11:26 through Genesis 25:10. His family's story extends much further. The specific test of sacrificing Isaac is related in Genesis 22.

Ultimately, Abraham had great faith that God would keep his promise of blessing Abraham, his family, and the world. That promise finds complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ who is the perfect lamb of God - the substitutionary sacrifice for your sins and mine. When God provided the lamb Isaac was free. When God provided The Lamb (Jesus) we all can go free.

Have you turned from living a world-centered life toward a Christ-centered life? That's what it means to repent. So if you repent and believe that Jesus is God's son and that his death on the cross is the only remedy for your sin problem, you will be saved. Will you call upon the name of Jesus today for salvation, forgiveness, and redemption? Let me know how I can help you.