Tested by God

Genesis 22:1

“Some time later God tested Abraham.” (NIV)

Devotional Reflection

The invisible God wished to make Himself known through the goodness He would show to Abraham. God made a covenant with Abraham to bring from him a great nation that He would bless and protect. But a covenant is an agreement; each party has a commitment to make.

Ultimately, our part of the covenant is perfection—continually honoring God in obedience out of our love for Him. God knew the sinful nature of man would not make this possible. So He became a man and fulfilled the covenant on behalf of humanity through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

Though the Lord has fulfilled our part of the covenant, He still calls us to live in gratitude by doing our best to honor Him above everything else—even the good things given to us from His hand. To shape this kind of devotion in us, God allows tests in our lives. These are not temptations to sin, but opportunities to honor Him more than anything else.

God tested Abraham. The challenge was to choose God over his son, Isaac, who had been given to Abraham in a miraculous way. Isaac also represented God’s covenant promise to make him into a great nation. Although Isaac was the greatest gift Abraham had received, God called him to love and honor the Giver above the gift.

We are tested when God allows situations where honoring Him requires us to place Him above something else—even something good. We are challenged to honor Him over our spouses when pleasing them would not please God. We are challenged to honor Him over our children when making them happy would displease God. We are challenged to honor Him over our ministries when honoring Him requires us to set ministry aside. We are challenged to honor God with our resources even when it feels like we cannot give sacrificially and still meet our needs.

If we read further in Genesis, when Abraham proved he would honor the Lord even over his own son, God sent an angel to stop him, and God provided a ram for Abraham to sacrifice instead.

When we demonstrate a willingness to honor God above everything—even the blessings He has given—He is faithful to sustain those blessings and often increase them according to His purposes.

Closing Prayer

Lord, help me to honor You above everything else in my life—even the good gifts You have given me. Strengthen my faith in moments of testing, and teach me to trust that You are always good and always faithful. Amen.