Reflections at the Summit
Week Two
A Summit of Tried Faith
Focus Text: Genesis 22
Bible Reading: 1st Thessalonians 1-2nd Thessalonians 2
In 1799, Conrad Reed discovered a seventeen-pound rock while fishing in Little Meadow Creek. Not knowing what it was made of, his family used it as a doorstop for three years. In 1802, his father, John Reed, took it to a jeweler who identified it as a lump of gold worth about $3,600. That lump of gold, which was used as a doorstop for three years in North Carolina, is one of the biggest gold nuggets ever found east of the Rockies. No one knew the value of the rock until it was tested.
Our second Mountain Summit focuses on the same concept, tried faith. Genesis 22 takes us to Mount Moriah and our main character, Abraham. Much had happened in Abraham's life by the time he journeyed to Moriah. Many years earlier God called Abraham and his family to leave Ur of the Chaldees. The purpose for their departure was to become a covenant people. God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a nation, which seemed impossible since both he and his wife were both elderly and unable to have children. Abraham and Sarah waited for 25 years until their precious son Isaac was born. Abraham was 100 years old. Most people are planning nursing homes, not nurseries at that age. Imagine the excitement that would have flowed through Abraham, the pride that would have coursed through his veins. The promise had come! But all of that was challenged when God told Abraham to take his only son Isaac and offer him as a sacrifice on Mount Moriah. How would Abraham respond? In faith. Along the way Isaac questioned the purpose and asked where the sacrifice was, Abraham's response was the God would supply a lamb. Abraham tied up Isaac, prepared an altar, and raised the blade but God stilled Abraham's hand. The goal of this account in the Bible was never the death of Isaac, but to 'try' Abraham's faith. The book of Hebrews makes it clear that Abraham was so confident in God's promise that He believed even if he did kill Isaac that God would raise him from the dead! Talk about a deep faith!
I'm doubting that God is trying your faith in the same fashion, but in truth our faith will be tried from time to time. The goal of the fiery trial which comes upon us is not failure, but growth and spiritual development. Our faith will never mature or become strong unless trials beset us from time to time. The trial isn't meant to harm, but to help. Not to destroy, but to develop. The Bible tells us in 1st Peter 4:12 that we should never be surprised when a trial comes against us. We can expect them. If we can expect them then we need to be prepared for them. We prepare for the trials that lay in front us by walking with the Lord. Praying, reading our Bibles, staying connected with God's people, by serving the Lord. If you are not already enduring a trial then know one is on the way. In the midst of it ask God "what is the purpose of this trial" and "what are you trying to teach me?" Trials of faith are created with purpose, with a goal in mind. Allow the trial to refine you and define you.
Reflections on the Road:
Maybe you are currently going through a trialsome time; if so take time this week and talk with God. Focus not so much on asking God to take the trial away but to show you clarity on why the trial is there. If you are not currently embattled with a trial then get prepared by anchoring your life into Christ.
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