Genesis 22: 7-8
7 Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together.
Jennifer Rothschild, an author, teacher, and songwriter went blind at the age of 15. Today, she ministers to people all over the country about living the Christian life walking by faith and not by sight.
In her bestseller, “Lessons I Learned in the Dark”, Rothschild tells a story about decorating her home and discussing a wallpaper pattern with a friend. After describing the pattern in such intricate detail as to colors, shapes, and textures, the friend asked her, “How do you know what the wallpaper looks like?” Rothschild responded, “Because my mother described it to me and I believed what my mother said about the wallpaper”.
Here, in Genesis 22, we see this same principle at work. Will Isaac believe what his father (Abraham) has said about the sacrifice? Often referred to as the great test of Abraham’s faith, we may overlook the fact that Isaac was also being tested.
While the young man walked with his father to worship, he had a critical choice to make. Isaac observes the scene and seeing the wood and the fire, but no animal, he asks his father, “Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answers him, but without giving a clear indication as to when or where the sacrificial lamb would appear. Now, Isaac does a courageous thing, because notwithstanding his uncertainty, the next line reads “and the two of them walked on together”.
Question: What does it take to trust our Heavenly Father to lead us when we don’t know where we are headed?
It takes blind faith. The type of faith in God that does not require a road map, fleeces, a sign, or a special revelation. Isaac could only trust his earthly father because he knew him intimately. They had lived together, they had worshipped together, and they had worked together. That is the type of relationship that produces blind faith. That is the type of relationship that we should strive for, trusting God wholeheartedly, despite what we see or don’t see.
Recently, I was faced with a situation where I had to decide if I was going to exercise blind faith. Faced with concerns over the economy, problems on my job and with my friends, would I continue to hold onto the Father’s hand and walk with Him despite my growing anxiety over the future?
In that instance, I chose to believe what my Father said, such as, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand” (Psalms 37:23-24). Sometimes it is still a struggle to follow where God leads without relying on my own understanding. But, when I do trust God and follow His lead, but I have found that, like Isaac learned that faithful day, the Lord will provide.
So, if you are a believer, be encouraged and remember that your job is just to keep holding on to the Father’s hand, come hell or high water, and He will provide. He provides salvation to everyone. He provides peace to His children, joy in sorrow, and protection from the hands of the enemy.
These are just a few of the benefits of walking with the Father. Won’t you walk with Him today?
The Rev. Dr. Sonja R. Dawson is the senior pastor of New Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Los Angeles.
