Laying Down Your Isaac

"And he said, Take now thy son,

thine only son Isaac,

whom thou lovest...

...and offer him there for a burnt offering

upon one of the mountains which I tell thee of."

              ~ Genesis 22:2

Oh, the heart wrenching test of our faith

with grace we are called to bear!

To lay down our Isaac with anguish of soul

that which to us is so dear.

Never was any gold tried in so hot a fire.

Yet, who are we to argue with God?

Strong faith is strengthened with strong trials

when we are asked to lay down that which we love.

Often the Lord asks us to lay down what is precious.

What would be the anguish of your soul?

With unwavering obedience

we are to lay down that which we treasure

with confidence in the faithfulness of God.

"And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised,

he was able also to perform."

        ~ Romans 4:21

"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth,

though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise..."

     ~ 1 Peter 1:7

God doesn't test us without giving us His promise

as we learn to submit our Isaacs into His loving care

fully believing that He will make up our losses.

"...not having received the promises,

but having seen them afar off..."

         ~ Hebrews 11:13

Then when the depths of our souls have been tested,

when we are brought to the place where nothing is withheld,

God provided a ram as a subsitute for Isaac,

so Abraham wouldn't have to offer his son.

Oh soul, are you willing to give up all for the gospel,

to offer to God that which you love?

"He that loveth father or mother more than me

is not worthy of me..."

                  ~ Matthew 10:37

We all have our Isaacs...

What is given up for His sake we shall receive a hundred fold.

***

Dear Soul,

Have you been to that heart wrenching place

where you were called to lay down that which you love?

Often the Lord test our faith to see what we treasure

that through the trial of our faith we can receive the blessings of God.

The Scripture says,

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

                 ~ Romans 3:23

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,

and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,

thou shalt be saved."

                  ~ Romans 10:9

Don't fall asleep without Jesus

until you are assured of a place in heaven.

Tonight, if you would like to receive the gift of eternal life

first you must believe in the Lord.

You have to ask for your sins to be forgiven

and put your trust in the Lord.

There's only one way to heaven and that's through the Lord Jesus.

That's God's wonderful plan of salvation.

You can begin a personal relationship with Him

by praying a prayer such as the following:

"O God, I am a sinner.

I am sorry for my sins.

I want to turn from my sin.

I receive Jesus Christ as my Savior,

I confess Him as my Lord.

From now on I want to follow Him.

In Jesus' name. Amen."

                         ~ Ephesians 1:4

If you have received the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior

after reading this invitation, please let us know.

We would love to hear from you. Your first name is sufficient.