Contemplative Bible Reading

Genesis 22:8 (New Living Translation)

8 “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together.

This is part of the (hi)story of Abraham and his son Isaac. God told Abraham to take Isaac up the hill and sacrifice him. This is a crazy story with many twists, turns, and lessons.

One of the major lessons is that Abraham and Isaac are on this mission from God—they are doing something God told them to do. Abraham and Isaac do not have what they need to complete the mission.

Let’s pause at that point: God says, “Go do this.” I don’t have what I need to do this. Still, God says, “Go do this.”

Uh, er, God, wait a minute here. Uh, I need a while to gather resources. You know, lots of things that are necessary for this.

No. God says, “Go do this.” I need to start on this. But how will… God will provide.

This makes no sense. I mean, a miracle would have to happen… Oh, this is God. God deals in miracles all the time. And God will provide the miracles needed for me to, “Go do this.”

It is my job to take the first step just like Abraham and Isaac took the first step. God provided a miracle or fifty along their path. God will do the same for me.