Day 5 of 40 Days of Purpose

“Seeing Life from God’s View”

When I think about the idea of today’s study, that this life is a test and a trust, I think of the test of Abraham. He was told to offer his son as a sacrifice. It needs to be remembered the story that led up to the test that is described in Genesis 22. Abraham and his wife Sarah had been promised a son at a time in their lives when without a miracle it would have been impossible. God made the impossible a reality and Abraham was living in a covenant relationship with God having received the son of promise. He was commanded to offer that son. Abraham was obeying when he was interrupted by God. The Book of Hebrews adds this commentary on this story:

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, {18} even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." {19} Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death. (Heb 11:17-19 NIV)

In a similar way, we are called to be living sacrifices in a test of faith trusting God to work his perfect will in our lives.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. {2} Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Rom 12:1-2 NIV)