Sterling Faith
Today’s Verse:
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ~Hebrews 11:17
The word “sterling” is typically associated with silver and implies the very best. It speaks of gold or silver that meets the standard of being the finest available. Something sterling is the standard by which other things must match up to. It is the benchmark of all that is excellent. We are looking at the faith of Abraham when he was around 130 years old. At his old age, his faith was pushed to the extreme to see how strong it was. This morning, let us see sterling faith.
We see the command.
Abraham was commanded to offer up Isaac. God told him in Genesis 22:2, “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.” The exercise of faith will be centered in a command from God. A command is an order that is to be obeyed. A command is from a superior who expects us to execute and complete the command exactly as it is given. Abraham was commanded to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice to God. He was commanded to give up the son whom he loved. He was commanded to give up his only son. He did not have another son with Sara: Isaac was the only one. He was commanded to do something that humanly sounded harsh and very difficult to do. However, it was a command. Abraham’s faith was being tested by a command. He was being tested as a parent. He was being tested as a pilgrim. How willing is your faith? How obedient is your faith? How dependable is your faith? How real is your faith?
We see his commitment.
“By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.” Abraham obeyed the command of God! He obeyed without questioning God. He obeyed without reservation. He may have had a heavy heart, but he obeyed! Abraham committed himself to God in this command. The performance of faith demands that we “trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Commitment meant that he had to have faith in God’s requirement and in the ultimate result. Commitment required his follow-through, regardless of how he felt. Commitment required surrender of all doubts and a forward march in doing what you have been commanded to do. Commitment is our obedience in action. How committed are you in the walk of faith?
We see his confidence.
“Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.” Hebrews 11:19 explains Abraham’s faith in the command that he was given. He had faith in God’s power. He knew that God was able to raise Isaac up from the dead. He had faith in God’s promise. He remembered “that in Isaac shall thy seed be called.” He had faith in the prospect. He had faith in a future resurrection. Before this test, he realized that God was the everlasting God. He knew that God was almighty and unchangeable. As he proved himself worthy to God, he remarked that the Lord provides. Abraham had utmost faith in God. His faith was pushed to the extreme, and he passed. Abraham had a sterling faith.
How far can God push and test your faith? What quality is your faith? Abraham is called the friend of God. A friend of God has a sterling faith.
Have a faith-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Esther 6-10