0653. The Intensity of His Approval

The Intensity of His Approval

"And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of Heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I" (Gen_22:11).

"And He said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from Me."

Abraham had left his own country and his father’s house, obedient to God’s call. During many years he had proved his faithfulness unto God. God had, however, in mind, the supreme test of Abraham’s fidelity. He gave commandment unto Abraham to take Isaac, his only son, whom he loved, and to offer him in sacrifice upon an altar in Mount Moriah. Abraham obeyed, and, after a three-day journey, he built the altar, laid the wood in order, bound Isaac his son, and placed him ready for sacrifice.

The eye of God had beheld each step in this preparation. Now, as Abraham raised his hand to slay; his son, right out of the blue sky God spoke with all intensity, "Abraham, Abraham, lay not thy hand upon the lad."

These words "Abraham, Abraham," were spoken not only to stay the slaughter of Isaac, but they carry with them the intensity of God’s approval of Abraham’s surrender. God saw that Abraham had not withheld the son of his love. Therefore God said unto him, "Because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies."

Rom_12:1-2, emphasizes the fact that surrender is God’s call to all believers. We must yield ourselves to Him, and yield our members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

When we do consecrate our all, yield our all, then God begins to shower upon us the riches of His grace. Our prayer can well be summed up in Miss Havergal’s beautiful poem:

"Take my life and let it be

Consecrated, Lord to Thee.

Take my moments and my days,

Let them flow in endless praise.

Take my silver and my gold,

Not a mite would I withhold,

Take my voice and let me sing,

Always, only, for my King.

Take my heart, it is Thine own,

It shall be Thy royal throne,

Take my love, my God I pour,

At Thy feet its treasures store."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR