Ok, I admit it. My faith is being shaken. Where is Yahweh anyway? We have prayed for healing, for our nation, for circumstances to change, for blessings, and yes, for people to come to their senses. Will He ever appear? Will He show Himself when we cry out to Him?
Abraham’s faith is tested in Genesis 22:1. It reads:
“Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
Wow, what an action-packed verse! Let’s break it down.
First and most importantly, what are “these things” mentioned in the verse? Consider the following prominent events mentioned in the verses before this one.
- Abraham is afraid and almost loses his wife to Abimelech.
- Abraham’s son Isaac is born into the family, which causes Sarah to send Hagar out of the family tent.
- Abraham makes an oath with Abimelech to “get along.”
- Abraham plants a tree to call on Yahweh and then sojourns in the land of the Philistines for many days.
It’s after “these things” that God tests Abraham and says—ABRAHAM!
Yah just says his name! It’s almost like He is slapping Abraham upside the head to get him to wake up. Is Yahweh trying to get Abraham to recognize something? I believe it is a resounding yes. The issue is faith. And Abraham seems to ready himself for the test by saying, “Here I am.” In modern-day language, he might have said, “bring it on.”
Like Abraham, many of us can have our up times and our down times when faith becomes the issue. Eventually, we want to know if faith is real, but in our humanity, we are slow to accept the idea. We seem to think that Yahweh can handle some things while we try to handle other things. I believe Yahweh wants to convince Abraham that he needs to trust the Creator in all things. Hence, Abraham is tested in the ultimate arena. He is asked to give up his son, the very promise given by Yah to create a nation. Can Abraham complete the test? Is Abraham ready for the test?
I believe Yahweh wants to show us His mighty hand when “He Appears.” When Yahweh rescues Isaac from the altar, He speaks in volumes. Not only does He speak, but He provides a solution—the ram caught in the thicket—the picture of Messiah with a crown of thorns.
In 2 Kings 4, we can see a similar picture. The Shunammite woman is promised a son. He too is seemingly taken away, but yet through the breath of the prophet, Yahweh fills his soul back to life.
The book of Hebrews reminds us not to lose our faith. It says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval.” Heb. 11:1
VaYera is teaching me something today. It is teaching me to stay away from discouragement and start leaning into the challenge of faith. By doing so, He will appear. Will you join me in this quest?
Be Blessed,
Rollyn