Who is our God? What is He like?
He is a faith trying God.
Everyone likes a challenge. The satisfaction that comes from the solving of a puzzle. The sense of accomplishment that follows the hike to the top of the mountain. The completion of a project well done is always a reason to rejoice. Challenges help us grow to become better, more complete than we were before. But what about spiritual challenges? Does the same truth apply? According to the scripture it does. In the book of James we are reminded:
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:2-3
The trial of faith. This trial is an altogether different kind of challenge. Someone once said that “faith is the currency of heaven.” It is that which pleases and moves God (Hebrews 11:6). And the scripture is clear that we ought to rejoice when we are faced with such trials, because they work to strengthen and complete that one thing that pleases God.
As we look to our chapter in Genesis today, we are arrested with this thought in the very first verse. Abraham’s faith is being tried. God has put him to the test. A very difficult test to say the least. Consider:
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. And he said, 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.
Genesis 22:1-2
After reading this, I have to ask myself, “How serious is God about my faith?” I think it is safe to say that our faith is so important to God, that He is willing to try it, to challenge it, under the weight of that which is most dear to us in this life. In the case of Abraham, it was his promised son. What is most dear to you? God’s desire for you is that your faith would be complete. He wants you to trust Him. And part of trusting Him is believing that His will for your life is best, even if that means you sacrifice that which is most dear to you. Ultimately, pleasing Him should be what is most dear to you, and faith is what pleases Him.
Behold our God!