AT GOD’S REQUEST

 

«By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called’ » (Hebrews 11:17, 18).

GOD ASKED the first couple to have children and multiply. God asked Noah to have children. God promised offspring to Abraham and did not give them to him! His age and the infertility of Sarah, his wife, seemed to prevent the fulfillment of the promise. However, in time, the promise was fulfilled.

Now, something very strange comes up. When Isaac is a young man, God asks Abraham to offer him up as a sacrifice. Why would God want to take his son away if He Himself had given Isaac to him?

Abraham obeys God’s request. Isaac also obeys and «the son submits to the sacrifice because he believes in the integrity of his father. But when everything is ready, when the faith of the father and the submission of the son are fully tested, the angel of God stays the uplifted hand of Abraham, and tells him that it is enough. ‘Now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me’ » (That I May Know Him, p. 20). Thus Isaac was a symbol of the Son of God, who would be given in sacrifice for the sins of the world.

Today is Christmas and Christianity celebrates the birth of Christ, although we know that it did not occur on this date. The Child was born to take Isaac’s place and ours. The Bible says that when Jesus was born, wise men from the East made a long journey, taking presents for the Child. Incense was used in religious rituals. Myrrh was a salve from a tree that was used to prepare bodies for burial. Gold was a symbol of royalty. Thus, the newborn was honored and recognized as Priest, Savior, and King.

«The most precious things they had, the wise men brought to the Saviour. In this they set an example for us. Many give presents to their earthly friends, but have none for the heavenly Friend who has given them every blessing. We should not do this. To Christ we should bring the best of all we have—of our time, money, and our love» (The Story of Jesus, p. 24).

Heaven gave. The Father gave. The Son gave. The wise men gave.

Today I propose a different Christmas:

one that involves giving yourself completely to Jesus; recognizing Him as a Priest, Savior, and King

with the gold of your faith and love,

with the incense of your prayers,

and with the myrrh of your testimony.

#AdultsDevotional
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Taken from: Daily Devotions for Adults 2021
“HIS GRACE IS ENOUGH”
From: Bruno Raso
Colaboradores: Angelica Cuate & Alexandra Perez