Whoever sins against me hurts himself; whoever hates me loves death ”Proverbs 8:36
Few experiences in life are as shocking as the strong need for someone to save your life. Abraham was a man who experienced it in a very dramatic way. After having lived exciting adventures alongside the heavenly Father – from his departure from Ur to the miraculous birth of Isaac – one day God asked him for something extremely disconcerting: to offer his son as a sacrifice. The divine request tore his heart apart.
He had waited many years to caress the soft skin of a baby, and when the boy was barely entering adolescence, the Lord announced his death.
The old patriarch did not understand the divine order, but he was willing to obey it. For three days on the road he wondered if God could deliver his son. Isaac was excited to accompany his father to perform a sacrifice to the Lord. Abraham had not brought a lamb for a burnt offering; this time, his own son was the victim who would shed his blood before God.
The only way to save him was for the Lord to provide a lamb to replace Isaac as a sacrifice. Perhaps Abraham never experienced such a pressing need for a Redeemer. When the time finally came to place the victim on the altar, the patriarch did not hesitate to take his beloved son to offer to the Lord.
Isaac understood the situation and accepted the divine command. Then the angel of the Lord stopped the hand of a father determined to honor the heavenly order, even in spite of his own suffering. Right there, God provided a lamb to substitute for Isaac as a sacrifice (Genesis 22: 8).
Many people believe that they can do without God in their life. He even brags that he does not need divine blessings to be happy. Why does he do this? Because pride dominates your conscience.
And it is that experiencing a deep need for a Savior in the arrogant human heart is a gift from God. Without a doubt, it is one of the great experiences of life. It involves the recognition of personal mistakes and the acceptance of being sinners. Actually, it is one of the great spiritual victories in an individual.
Do you perceive today the need for a Savior? Are you aware that you are a sinner? Are you overwhelmed by your sinful instincts? You are not far from the kingdom of God! Follow the example of Abraham: obey the Lord above all circumstances.
I assure you that he will provide salvation for you this day.