Let It Fall

The sun had not yet broke through the veil of morning’s darkness hanging over the Earth, when he arose to prepare for the long journey ahead. His mind whirled with details he did not understand, but his faith was greater than his fear, so he continued to pack his sack with food, provisions and other necessities.

His bones were as tired and drained as his emotions. Sleep had been fleeting, for the rawness from the ache in his heart was so unbearable, at times, it left him literally sick to his stomach. What if he had heard the command incorrectly? The words spoken straight from heaven still sent chills down his aging spine. None of this made any sense, but forward he went, propelled by something greater inside of him, then the natural outside.

He entered the tent of his pride and joy, the long awaited promise, and paused before waking him from his slumber. Tears began to well up and the lump in his throat threatened to break down the dam that was restraining uncontrollable sobs from being released. Looking away quickly, he raised his face to heaven and with a deep sigh to clear the emotion and renew his faith, he awoke his son.

“It is time,” was all he could allow to spill from his lips, as he turned to leave the tent and finish the preparations, his heart as heavy as his steps. His mind raced back and forth between faith and doubt, but as soon as the terror would rise up within, he quickly rebuked it and shoved it aside. He knew his God would not break their covenant and this chosen child was to be the seed that would spawn a mighty nation.

The image of the night sky, with stars too numerous to count, flashed before his mind’s eye. He could almost feel the cool, evening breeze on his face again, as he recalled the words of the Most High God.

“Look now toward the heavens and count the stars- if you are able to number them. So shall your descendants be.”

That night was the clearest he had ever seen in all his years and the vastness of the heavens took his breath. A fresh resolve of obedience surged within his veins. His God was faithful, his God never failed and his God would make a way through this impossible task.

After many days travel, they arrived at their destination. The conversation between father and son had been most enriching, and every word was seared in his mind and heart. Now was the time; however, that trust met action. When all he believed to be true, required commitment and obedience. He no longer could just speak about the faithfulness of the Lord, he had to do something about it.

Charging his servants to remain at camp, he turned to stare at the mountain before them and set out for the last leg of the journey. With each step, his determination became unwavering, for he knew his God was in this place with them. His belief in the promise grew stronger the higher they ascended. The Almighty had called him here, He was in control, and even though it meant he had to give God his everything, he would do it; for he knew the Lord was worth it. He could be trusted with even the very life of his son; Abba would not fail.

“Father?” his son’s voice cut through his thoughts, “We have the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt sacrifice?”

Without even a hesitation he replied, “My son, God Himself will provide a lamb for the burnt offering.”

Then the moment was upon him. The alter was built, his precious son bound and in complete faith and trust, he raised the knife, sweat dripping from his brow. Then a voice from heaven shook like thunder and froze him in mid air. He exhaled, not even realizing he had been holding his breath.

“Do not lay your hand on the lad. For I now know that you fear and revere God, since you have not held back giving Me your only son.”

At that moment, a sound caught this attention. He looked over at a thicket of bushes just beyond the alter. There, caught by its horn, was a ram. He wept with joy as he unbound his child. Father God, Himself had indeed provided a lamb.

That day, as the sweet aroma of the sacrifice arose to the heavens, his worship was deeper, his praise was louder and his understanding greater. Oh what he would have missed, if he had chosen to hold on, to what God told him to release.

Are you white knuckling something in your life? Is God asking you to open your fists and let it fall?

Sometimes our greatest treasures can only be found, when we realize what we desperately cling to, is really just junk.