Shalom dear reader,
Last week we looked at Genesis 22:1 and saw that part of our worship lifestyle comprised of trials and testing.
This week we will examine verses 2 - 4.
Genesis 22:2 - 4
- Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of
Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”
- Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.
- On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.
LISTENING
Part of our worship lifestyle involves listening to the Lord.
As we examine this passage, we notice in verse 2 that God had told Abraham to go to the land of Moriah however he would only be given specific instructions regarding the exact place where he was to sacrifice his son sometime during his journey.
Our walk with God is exactly the same. God often gives us general instructions and as we obey and move in faith, he then gives us the specifics. Worship is not a monologue but rather a dialogue as it involves God speaking to us.
How do you know when God is speaking?
John 4:24 ….. and his worshipers must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Kevin Connor in his book The Tabernacle of David states:
“Worship in spirit and truth involves the believer honoring and adorning God by the quickening of the Holy Spirit and according to the Word of God.”
Adam Clark in his Commentary states:
“The true heart of worship is the heart that bows before God and submits to His Word. We worship in response as the Holy Spirit reveals the truths of God to us.
When we approach God the attitude of our hearts must be one of complete submission. We have nothing to offer God except out total devotion and obedience.”
- Therefore the first question we need to ask ourselves when we believe God is speaking to us is does it line up with the Word of God? If it doesn’t then it’s not from God.
- That which we hear, does it submit to the counsel of many in other words is there anyone mature who can confirm the word? God always confirms His Word to us.
- Does what we hear glorify God and draw us closer to Jesus?
- Does it display the character of God and the Fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)? But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law.
OBEDIENCE
Just as worship involves hearing accurately from God, it also involves total obedience to his instructions.
1 Samuel 15:22 To obey is better than sacrifice…..
Abraham could only have arrived at the exact place by listening and obeying. Obedience to God’s voice and instructions will lead us to his provision for us. In verse 13 we see God’s provision for the sacrifice.
Genesis 22:13 - 14
13. Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he was a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.
14. So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide (Adonai Yir’eh). And to this day it is said “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”
Notice however that the provision would not have been there if Abraham had not been in the right place. We need to make sure that we are in the center of God’s will for our lives. Whatever plans God has for us, the provision will be there provided we walk in obedience.
A worship lifestyle is a continual sacrifice by putting God first, others second and ourselves last. It also involves time, energy, faith, separation and preparation.
In the above passage we see that it took Abraham three days and three nights to arrive at his destination. It also required action on his part. He had to walk the distance as well as climb the mountain. He also needed faith. In verse 4 we see that he saw the place afar off. God reveals his plans and purposes for us one step at a time and as we walk in faith and obedience, he reveals more. To walk in faith means to trust God implicitly. Trust is build through relationship.
Relationship is built through spending time alone with God and spending time in his Word. How is your relationship with God?
I would like to encourage you to spend much time alone with God and much time in his Word and as the Holy Spirit reveals God’s truths to you, respond in worship. Remember worship is not just about singing songs but rather a lifestyle. Speak to him continuously throughout the day.
I would like to leave you with the following verses:
Exodus 33:11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.
1 John 1:3 …and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Blessings,
Charmaine
Clim Jews for Jesus
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