Title: Jehovah Jireh /Genesis 22:1-14
On the 486th anniversary of the Reformation, what should we reform? Reform of the system is also necessary, but in religious belief, change of heart and change of life is reform.
Abraham, the father of faith, also changed his mind over time and his faith was shaken. God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, whom he bore at the age of 100.
I. Why did these trials come to Abraham?
First, He gave us trials to make us love God more than all things. When God told us to sacrifice Isaac, He told us to love only God first. Second, He tried to make us believe in God more than all things. There is a contradiction between God's command and the covenant, but Abraham believed God and God's promise and did what he commanded. Third, He allowed trials to come in order to plant faith in the resurrection. The book of Hebrews says, "Abraham believed that God would raise the dead and bring him back from the dead." Resurrection faith is a great strength to dedicate everything for God. Fourth, Jesus Christ died for us. Abraham did not actually sacrifice Isaac, but Heavenly Father offered his Son Jesus Christ as a sacrifice for us.
II. When the test came, Abraham obeyed in faith.
“Blessed are all the peoples of the world through your offspring, because you have obeyed my words” (18). What was Abraham's obedience like? The first was immediate obedience, the second sustained obedience, the third voluntary obedience, and the fourth calm obedience. Also, the faithful obedience of the fifth father was an obedience that was passed down from generation to generation.
III. God prepares
God often reveals himself by name. Today's text tells us that Jehovah Jireh is the 'God who prepares (provides)'. To Abraham, who obeyed, God had a ram caught in a bush to be sacrificed in place of Isaac. We can know that God is the one who takes action and prepares, so that we can know that God will provide even in our extreme circumstances. At this time, what was prepared for the sinner was the most glorious, and the sheep prepared were more effective to be offered.
closing words.
God wants the Korean church to love God more, believe more, and look to the Savior Christ through the resurrection faith. Let's become saints who obey God's word immediately in the face of all trials, consistently obey, voluntarily obey, obey calmly, and fulfill God's will through successive obedience. God will prepare (Jehovah Jireh) for the obedient saints. In the 486th anniversary of the Reformation, I pray in the name of the Lord that you will become believers who believe in God's actions in all things.