"Some time later God tested Abraham, He said to him, 'Abraham!'
'Here I am,' he replied.
Then God said, 'Take your son, your only son, whom you love - Isaac - and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you," (verses 1-2).
Scripture goes on to describe Abraham's journey to the mountain. It took Abraham 3 entire days to get to this mountain. As I was reading, I couldn't help but notice that the Scripture only shows one sentence that God said to Abraham about the sacrifice. But you and I know Abraham most likely had several more sentences in response to this. Maybe something like...
"WHAT?!? ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?"
"WHAT ABOUT THE GREAT NATION HE IS TO BECOME?"
"I THOUGHT CHILD SACRIFICE WAS FOR THE HEATHENS!"
"I WAITED 100 YEARS FOR THAT CHILD AND YOU'RE TAKING HIM AWAY JUST LIKE THAT?"
"Oh great, how am I going to explain this one to Sarah?"
At least, that's what I'd be doing. Questioning God. Asking Him the age-old question "Why?" Yet Scripture shows no further dialogue. When they reach the mountain, Abraham tells his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you" (verse 5). The "we" in this sentence was blaring to me. Abraham believed that God would provide, even though God gave no evidence of it.
I needed this passage this morning. I have a friend who desperately needs God's healing. I have prayed and prayed and prayed for my dear friend. Both of us have questioned God, asking Him why he hasn't provided the healing yet. Asking Him if it'll ever come. I believe that God has revealed to me that He will heal her, so I can't help but be a little frustrated watching her suffer while she waits. Ever since God revealed this to me, He has been silent. I have been so frustrated with this. Over and over again I read in the Bible that God listens to prayers.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:7-11
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask or in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24
The verses God provides in His Word about prayer go on and on about God answering prayer to those who believe. God's Word never contradicts itself. God's Word never fails. Genesis 22 provided me with encouragement today because it reminded me that silence doesn't mean "No." Silence doesn't mean your prayers are falling on deaf ears. Silence doesn't mean God doesn't care. Abraham suffered through silence as I'm sure he asked God a million questions. He suffered through silence for three days as he faithfully made his way to the mountain. The silence didn't keep him from moving. He obeyed despite the silence. He had faith that God would come through, and told others about it as well.
I believe my friend will be healed will all of my heart. I have prayed for her literally a thousand times I'm sure and I'll pray for her a thousand more. I believe the Scriptures that God has provided me and I have faith that, even though He is silent right now, He will follow through. And when he does, I'm throwing her the biggest party she's ever had. (She thinks I'm kidding about this but I'm definitely not!)
I want to encourage you today to stand firm if you are waiting through silence. Obey despite the silence and have faith through the silence, just like Abraham. Oh, and God will reward you. That's the best part of the story!
"The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, 'I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me," (verses 15-17).
And one more additional passage to encourage anyone who's waiting on answered prayers...
"Then Jesus said to them, 'Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, "Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend on mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing t set before him." And suppose the one inside answers, "Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can't get up and give you anything." I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need." Luke 11:5-8
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