Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26
The story of Abraham and Isaac that was recounted in the last tidbit has many teachable truths, and almost every verse reveals a life lesson in righteous living. Throughout this week, I pondered Abraham’s three-day journey to where God had told him to go. He told Abraham not only the destination but also the mission. God didn’t call out to Abraham, tell him to go to the land of Moriah with Isaac, and then tell him He would let him know why he was called to go there after he got there. I believe that Abraham revered God so much that he would not have even questioned Him had that been true. But God told him straight up what had to be done, and I can’t even imagine the questions and pain Abraham experienced knowing for three days what he had to do. The scriptures don’t tell us that Abraham even uttered a word of response to God, not even a “why.” Instead, we witness Abraham’s amazing faith in that “he got up early the next morning” and prepared for the journey (Gen 22:3). When we know the coming day is going to be a difficult one, how often do we hit the snooze button to delay the inevitable a few more minutes? Not Abraham, and I can’t think of any day that is more difficult than the day that lay ahead of him. He knew that day, and the next two were going to be the worst days of his life, but his faith carried him forward despite the pain. When we trust God in the midst of our pain, He will help us move forward and reveal Himself to us as we walk in tangent with Him.
I do have to wonder if thoughts of sacrificing Isaac constantly plagued Abraham or if he walked the three days in deep communion with God. Relying on the promises and believing that God would raise Isaac from the dead still didn’t absolve Isaac of the pain that he would have to endure. Watching a child endure pain that we cannot remove as a parent is heart-wrenching. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” During the three very long days, the Lord was with Abraham in his sorrow as He is for us in our hour of need. Psalm 23:4 says, “Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.” God is our peace in the desolate valleys of life.
“On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance” (Gen 22:4). I picture Abraham going along the dusty, dirt road with his head hung in prayer and sadness. But when he came to the precise spot God appointed, he looked up. He pulled his head out of the slump and lifted his eyes upward. Sometimes, even when the road ahead is difficult, we have to look up and move forward in faith to receive the blessings that God has to offer. How often do we keep our eyes on the ground and the dire situation and forget to look up? How often do we miss what God has waiting for us: the more profound knowledge of Him, glimpses of His glory, and being propelled into His arms? When we “look up,” we don’t have to seek the “why” in our circumstances because His goodness and faithfulness are steadfast. He has the situation covered with the perfect plan, just like He did for Abraham and Isaac. As this Christmas season unfolds, I pray we remember Jesus is not just the reason for the season; He is THE REASON. Look Up! And that’s your Tuesday Tidbit.
The picture of the lamb was taken at Nazareth Village in Israel.