Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
If there’s anything you’ve picked up in the story of Abraham, it’s likely to be the significance of his role as a father of great nations, and that of his son Isaac through which this promise will come to pass. You don’t need me to tell you how heart-in-your-mouth the events of today’s passage are.
Though child-sacrifice sounds unthinkable to us and almost unfathomable that Abraham would even consider such a task (surely he’d question whether or not he’s hearing God right?), child sacrifice was a common form of worship among the surrounding nations in Abraham’s time.
But herein lies the crux of the story. When God makes clear he doesn’t want Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, something key is revealed about his character. He is not a god who requires the death of their children to be satisfied. God is not like the other gods.
And so, while we see Abraham exert incredible faith and trust in God, we see God in turn show his character. It's not a test that just reveals Abraham’s heart, but God's, too.
It’s sometimes in the most testing moments of life that we discover who we really are. Our actions, or reactions, show what really matters to us, who it is we really trust, and what we're prepared to do for them.
These moments, too, tend to offer an opportunity to see God as he really is. When we stand to lose all we’ve built and worked towards, it’s often then we’re open to discover God in new ways.
God, help me to hear what you’re asking of me and how to obey, and in turn, to discover more of your true character.
This reflection was written by Helen Crawford, Bible Society's Digital Bible Experience Manager
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