Here I Am
Today's Verse:
And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. ~Genesis 22:1
We live in a very busy world and time. Technology has enabled us to do more in less time. It has provided us a means to take on more responsibilities so that more can be accomplished. At the same time, we see that there are many good things competing for our attention and our devotion. We assign a preference to the things that we want to commit to and that we do not want to commit to. Our ability to commit to something boils down to our availability. This morning, I am asking the question of how available are you? Are you available for God to use you?
There is the calling in availability.
The first step in availability is the call of God. God is looking for volunteers to surrender to a specific task that He has for us. Other times, God calls us to a test that He wants to perform in our life. God’s calling is always in accordance with how He has gifted us by His grace. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance. God calls us to serve Him, suffer for Him, be sent by Him, and be sustained by Him. God calls us personally, powerfully, and precisely.
There is the catching in availability.
Our availability is best demonstrated by our listening. God only needed to call Abraham once. Upon the first call, Abraham responded, “Here I am.” Abraham had matured in his spiritual life to where God was ready to test him in a major way about his availability. Abraham did not avoid the call. Abraham did not question the call. Abraham knew that God always had his best interest at heart. Abraham was ready and listening. Be ready to catch the call of God for your life.
There is the command in availability.
Abraham was commanded to take his only son, Isaac, and offer him as a sacrifice to God upon Mount Moriah. A command is to be obeyed. There is no negotiation with a command. There are no modifications with a command. I imagine that this command took Abraham by surprise, but in announcing that he was available, he acknowledged that he accepted the job description without reservation.
There is the commencement in availability.
Abraham obeyed immediately. The very next morning he prepared his servants, his son, and prepared the supplies that he needed. Availability must be without delay. Availability must be without interference. Availability involves giving. When you know what God expects of you, jump on it quickly.
There is the confidence in availability.
Abraham may have had a heavy heart as he considered the magnitude of the command and what it could cost him. However, God had prepared him for this moment through his previous tests in life. Abraham had faith that God would raise his son back up. He had faith that God knew what He was doing. He had faith that he was in God’s perfect will. He said, “God will provide himself a lamb.” He believed first and waited to see what God would do. We can trust God in everything. We can trust Him in the pathway that He leads us on. We can trust Him for the eventual outcome.
There is the checkpoint in availability.
Abraham arrived at the appointed destination, prepared the altar and Isaac for the sacrifice, and even had the knife he would use, held up over his son. At the critical moment, the familiar voice of God called to him again. Abraham simply responded, “Here am I” again! It was a vital checkpoint of his obedience, faith, submission, and trust.
There is the completion in availability.
Abraham passed the test. God showed him a ram caught in the thicket by its horns. God provided Himself a lamb. He discovered Jehovah Jireh, the Lord Who provides. Whom God calls, He always supplies. Being availabile is being ready to go where God wants us to go, to do what God wants us to do, and to surrender what God wants us to surrender.
Have a surrendered God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Kings 12-14