January 21

NOTHING WITHHELD
by Ray Prinzing

"For now I know that thou fearest God, seeing that thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from Me."                                                                               (Genesis 22:12).

All on the altar! Total surrender! These words have been uttered again and again, though I am sure we little comprehended the scope of their meaning, nor to what extent the Lord would require of us.  It has been well stated that "true surrender is a crisis that leads to a process." We face that moment of truth before the Lord, in our heart a surrender is made on that issue, then it is worked out experimentally through the processings which follow.

"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." (Hebrews 11:8). We view this committal and marvel at his faith, yet this was to unfold as he went.  Over and over the Lord required of Abraham a relinquishing of his rights, plans, possessions.  And finally, that ultimate test, Isaac on the altar.

Man does not know his own heart, nor how he will respond to that test which will be required of him, until he is tried.  It is more of a revelation to us, of ourselves, than it is to God, for He already knows what is in the heart of man.  Long before the birth of Isaac, God had already said of Abraham, "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment. (Genesis 18:19).  Then the severity of the testing, and Abraham was called to offer up his only son - he obeyed, and the blessing was given.  "By Myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because that hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only: that in blessing I will bless thee...because thou hast obeyed My voice."  (Genesis 22:16-18).