11/11/2025 – “The Supreme Climb” / “He said, ‘Take now your son…” (Genesis 22:2). // Reflection through prayer below, the continual showering of grace…
“God’s command is, “Take now,” not later. It is incredible how we debate! We know something is right, but we try to find excuses for not doing it immediately. If we are to climb to the height God reveals, it can never be done later – it must be done now. And the sacrifice must be worked through our will before we actually perform it.
“So Abraham rose early in the morning … and went to the place of which God had told him” (22:3). Oh, the wonderful simplicity of Abraham! When God spoke, he did not “confer with flesh and blood” (Galatians 1:16). Beware when you want to “confer with flesh and blood” or even your own thoughts, insights, or understandings – anything that is not based on your personal relationship with God. These are all things that compete with and hinder obedience to God.
Abraham did not choose what the sacrifice would be. Always guard against self-chosen service for God. Self-sacrifice may be a disease that impairs your service. If God has made your cup sweet, drink it in communion with Him. If the providential will of God means a hard and difficult time for you, go through it. But never decide the place of your own martyrdom, as if to say, ‘I will only go to there, but no farther.’ God chose the test for Abraham, and Abraham neither delayed nor protested, but steadily obeyed. If you are not living in touch with God, it is easy to blame Him or pass judgment on Him. You must go through the trial you learn to know God better. God is working in us to reach His highest goals until His purpose and our purpose become one.”
Soli Deo Gloria!
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Reflection insert:
The age old question: Why does an all-loving God allow suffering!…
We look at this amazing scene: It is a ‘metaphor’ we say, for God himself provided the supreme sacrifice that we could not provide. Let’s reflect on that for just a minute: Another metaphor, provided by the messenger Timothy Keller in his book: “Jesus the King: Understanding the Life and Death of the Son of God” (amazon link below). In Chapter One, we look at the unfathomable love of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Whatever analogy is weak. but Keller presents it as the eternal dance of our Triune God.
So, Jesus on the cross, in unspeakable agony, using all the energy He has left to shout out in agony: “Father, why have you forsaken Me”. Could it not be that the spiritual pain exceeded the physical pain? Perspective: Up to the point of the incarnation, Jesus throughout eternity, no beginning, experienced nothing outside of the “eternal dance”. Here, he is taking on all of our sins, to the point, that the Father goes completely dark on Him. Do we not think the Father has not experienced the agony of suffering? Do we not have a telling statement of how the Lord our God, in the unfathomable holiness of His essence, cannot tolerate sin? We are created in His image. But in the flesh, we cannot fathom the reality here, nor I submit, will we ever be able to fully fathom it, even as it grows steadily with our sanctification by God’s grace! So, this is what I am referring to when I share : “It is good we have eternity to completely understand God, because that is how long it will take”. (as in “never!”)
So, a weak analogy of course, but a telling scene from the mind : “The Apostle” starring Robert Duvall just flashed before my mind.
Always connected through prayer and by his grace! Praise God, perhaps this has something to do with my increasing focus, intensity and fervor, starting out my day in adoration prayer, praying the Psalms. Words are not enough, so why not use God’s words!?! (David wrote the psalms per se, but it came only by way of the Holy Spirit by His grace alone!). All scripture is God breathed!
Love,
Jimmy