I
have learned much about shedding the carnal nature lately. I liken it to
circumcision without numbing medication (not that I've ever been circumcised,
but the vivid imagination of a writer fills in the blanks). I have had a
face-to-face with my carnal side before. Some meetings were victorious, others,
not so much.
Most
recently I was challenged by the Holy Spirit to lay down something that I have
longed for most of my adult life. I wish I could say I easily shed my
wantonness and chose obedience. Victory eventually came, but a sacrifice was
involved.
When
Abraham trudged up Mt Moriah with his son, they went alone and Isaac carried
the wood. The Bible doesn't state, but I imagine Isaac questioned his father
and struggled when Abraham slowly tied his hands. He probably pleaded, fought,
panicked and even compromised.
The
Word also doesn't tell us what was going on in Abraham’s mind, but I can only
imagine.
“Lord,
do you really mean for me to do this?”
Silence.
“But
Lord, I waited so long for Isaac. You promised!”
Silence.
“Lord,
if you let him live, I’ll… .”
More
silence.
Can
you relate?
During
this shedding session, I learned many things:
1.
We
don’t get to choose what we have to sacrifice. God chooses.
2.
We
have to go it alone. Just Him and us.
3.
The
thing we must sacrifice will carry its own fuel.
4.
The
sacrifice will be something we treasure.
5.
If
we are NOT obedient, there will be a sacrifice.
6.
If
we ARE obedient, the sacrifice might get up and live.
7.
If
required to sacrifice it, there will be great blessings in the aftermath.
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