Faith Forward Future By Chad VeachSýnishorn

In Genesis 22, we see Abraham following God even when it’s difficult. Whenever I read this story about a father having to do the unimaginable in response to God, I’m always challenged to take a closer look at my own obedience.

If you’re not familiar with the story, Abraham and his wife, Sarah, had waited a long time to have a baby. And God had finally given them Isaac. He was the promise they had been waiting for, and then God dropped a bombshell.

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” (Genesis 22:2).

If you were reading The Hunger Games right now, this is where you would slam the book shut and say, “Oh, no you didn’t!” If you stopped reading here, you might feel outraged or offended. But to truly understand this story, you need to keep reading.

Abraham followed what God asked him to do even though it wasn’t easy. His response was obedience. As he walked up that mountain with his son, he was saying, “God, your plan, not mine. Your future, not my own.” At that moment, I’m sure the dream he had for his life with his son was shattered. 

And guess what? God’s plan was greater and better than Abraham realized! We have to understand that on the other side of his broken dream, God was preparing the actual sacrifice. Abraham couldn’t see it at the time of his obedience, but God had a ram waiting on the other side of that mountain. In the end, Abraham wouldn’t have to kill his own son. Once he proved his obedience and followed after God, he was shown a better plan in the thicket! . . .

What will the Lord provide for you? What could be coming on the other side of your mountain? What’s on the other side of your step of obedience? What’s on the other side of your follow?