Have you ever seen someone cling to something or someone? I have a three-year-old who loves her blanket and will hang on to it as if her life depended on it. I remember this one time we bought her a new one because the one she had was already stained, ripped, and old. I told her to give me her blanket, and at first, she did not want to let go. She held on to it even tighter. I tried to show her and explain why we had to get rid of it, but she was attached. It was her blankie. But when I told her if she put that dirty, old, stinky, stained blanket in her mouth, she could get sick, she finally let it go. And once she did, we gave her the new one. I know it could have been a bit easier if we had just shown her the new one, but I wanted her to understand many times, when we give something up, we do not see the blessing that comes along beforehand. The majority of the time, blessings come after an act of faith, just like when Abraham was told to sacrifice his son, his only son who he loves, Isaac. When God gave Abraham this command, he did not doubt or question God. Even when they were headed to the mountain and Isaac asked his dad about the offering, Abraham replied, “God himself will provide the lamb….” When they reached the top of the mountain and prepared everything, the offering was still not in sight. That did not slow Abraham down or make him doubt, he laid his son, and as he had the knife in his hand, an angel stopped Abraham telling him, “Do not do anything to him… because you have not withheld your son, your only son, I surely will bless you….” After that, a ram appeared for them to sacrifice.
After reading this narrative, I thought, what am I withholding from God? Is it my talents, my children, my time, my career, my husband, my finances, my past, my present, or my future? What blessings am I missing out on because of the fear, doubt, or stubbornness of letting go? Abraham’s story teaches us a couple of things; first, we need to act and move by faith even when it seems scary or crazy and doesn’t make sense. We need to allow our faith to control what we see. We cannot allow what we see to control our faith. Second, we cannot withhold anything from Him expecting to be blessed. We must let go of certain things and people for better to come because it’s hard to receive something new when your hands are full. Third, God is ALWAYS on time and ALWAYS provides.
God knows who and what is best for us. We just need to walk by faith in obedience, surrendering it ALL to Him who is faithful.
Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for all that you’ve done, everything you do, and everything that is to come. Forgive me for all the times I withheld parts of myself from you. Remind me when I try to hold on to things I need to let go of, whether they are emotional, physical, mental, or material stuff. I surrender EVERYTHING and leave it all at your feet. I make myself available for you to do what only you can do in me and through me, for your honor and glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
Worship song: