Faith and Availability: Lessons from Abraham's Journey
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound story of Abraham in Genesis 22, a narrative that challenges us to examine our faith and obedience to God. Abraham's journey is a testament to the power of pre-deciding to follow God, a decision made long before the trials and tests of life arise. This story is not just about Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac but also about his complete availability to God, encapsulated in the Hebrew word "Hineni," meaning "Here I am." This word signifies more than just physical presence; it represents a total readiness and openness to God's will, even when the path is unclear.
We delved into the concept of testing, understanding that it reveals what is truly inside us. Just as Abraham was tested, we too face moments that shake us to our core, revealing our true character and faith. These tests are not for God to learn about us, but for us to discover our own strengths and weaknesses. The story of Abraham also highlights the importance of availability over ability. God seeks our willingness to say "yes" to His call, trusting that He will provide the strength and guidance needed.
Moreover, we discussed how God communicates with us today. While He may not speak audibly as He did with Abraham, He guides us through scripture, quiet nudges, and the wisdom of others. Our task is to discern His voice amidst the noise of life, aligning our decisions with His word. This requires a deep understanding of God's character, which is cultivated through a relationship with Him.
Finally, the story of Abraham and Isaac foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice God made through Jesus Christ. Just as Abraham was willing to give up his son, God did not withhold His own Son from us. This act of love and sacrifice calls us to trust in God's goodness and to be willing to follow Him, even when the path is difficult.
Key Takeaways:
1. Pre-deciding to Follow God: Abraham's story teaches us the importance of pre-deciding to obey God. By committing to follow Him before knowing the specifics, we prepare our hearts to respond with faith and trust, even in challenging situations. This decision anchors us in moments of uncertainty, allowing us to say "yes" to God without hesitation. [14:15]
2. The Power of "Hineni": The Hebrew word "Hineni" signifies complete availability to God. It challenges us to be fully present and open to His will, beyond mere physical presence. This readiness to say "yes" to God, regardless of the question, is a profound act of faith and surrender. [16:36]
3. Testing Reveals Our True Self: Just as Abraham was tested, we too face trials that reveal our true character. These moments of testing are opportunities for self-discovery, showing us what lies within our hearts. They are not for God's benefit but for ours, helping us grow in faith and understanding. [18:18]
4. God's Communication Today: While God may not speak audibly to us, He guides us through scripture, quiet nudges, and the wisdom of others. Our task is to discern His voice and align our decisions with His word, trusting in His guidance and character. [25:51]
5. The Ultimate Sacrifice: The story of Abraham and Isaac foreshadows God's sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. This act of love calls us to trust in God's goodness and to be willing to follow Him, even when the path is difficult. It reminds us that God does not ask us to do anything He hasn't done Himself. [42:37]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[09:57] - Overwhelmed by Decisions
[11:32] - The Desire for Guidance
[13:09] - Where is God Leading?
[14:15] - Pre-deciding to Follow God
[16:36] - The Meaning of "Hineni"
[18:18] - Testing Reveals Our True Self
[19:40] - Squeezed by Life's Challenges
[21:08] - Your Greatest Ability is Availability
[22:19] - Abraham's Obedience
[24:46] - The Struggle to Know God's Will
[25:51] - How God Speaks Today
[27:34] - Quiet Guidance and Growth
[31:01] - Trusting God to Trust You
[34:08] - Transformation Over Information
[42:37] - The Ultimate Sacrifice
[46:30] - A Call to Availability
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Genesis 22:1-14
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- Romans 8:14
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the Hebrew word "Hineni" mean, and how does it reflect Abraham's attitude towards God? [16:36]
2. How does the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22 illustrate the concept of pre-deciding to follow God? [14:15]
3. According to the sermon, how does God communicate with us today, and what are some examples given? [25:51]
4. What is the significance of the ultimate sacrifice mentioned in the sermon, and how does it relate to the story of Abraham and Isaac? [42:37]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "Hineni" challenge individuals to be fully available to God, and what might this look like in daily life? [16:36]
2. In what ways do tests and trials reveal our true character, and how can they lead to personal growth and self-discovery? [18:18]
3. How can understanding God's character through scripture and personal relationship help in discerning His guidance in our lives? [25:51]
4. How does the story of Abraham and Isaac foreshadow the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and what does this reveal about God's nature? [42:37]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you had to make a difficult decision. How did pre-deciding to follow God influence your choice, and what was the outcome? [14:15]
2. "Hineni" signifies complete availability to God. What are some practical steps you can take to be more available to God's will in your daily life? [16:36]
3. Think about a recent trial or test you faced. What did it reveal about your character, and how can you use this insight to grow in your faith? [18:18]
4. How do you currently discern God's voice in your life? Are there specific practices or habits you can adopt to better align your decisions with His word? [25:51]
5. The sermon mentions that God is in the transformation business. What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to transform, and what steps can you take to respond to this call? [34:08]
6. Consider the ultimate sacrifice God made through Jesus Christ. How does this act of love inspire you to trust in God's goodness, even when the path is difficult? [42:37]
7. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to say "yes" to God? What might be holding you back, and how can you overcome these barriers to fully trust and follow Him? [46:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Pre-deciding to Follow God
Abraham's story in Genesis 22 illustrates the profound impact of pre-deciding to follow God. This decision is not made in the heat of the moment but is a deliberate choice to trust and obey God long before the trials of life arise. By pre-deciding, we anchor ourselves in faith, allowing us to respond with trust and obedience even when the path is uncertain. This commitment is a testament to our faith, preparing us to say "yes" to God without hesitation, knowing that He will guide us through every challenge. [14:15]
"Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one decision you can make today to pre-decide to follow God, even when the specifics are unknown?
Day 2: The Power of "Hineni"
The Hebrew word "Hineni," meaning "Here I am," signifies more than just physical presence; it represents a total readiness and openness to God's will. Abraham's use of this word in Genesis 22 challenges us to be fully present and open to God's call, regardless of the question or task. This readiness to say "yes" to God is a profound act of faith and surrender, demonstrating our willingness to trust Him completely. It is a call to be available to God, trusting that He will provide the strength and guidance needed. [16:36]
"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'" (Isaiah 6:8, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life is God calling you to say "Hineni," and how can you respond with complete availability today?
Day 3: Testing Reveals Our True Self
Just as Abraham was tested, we too face trials that reveal our true character and faith. These moments of testing are not for God's benefit but for ours, helping us discover our strengths and weaknesses. They are opportunities for self-discovery, showing us what lies within our hearts. Through these tests, we grow in faith and understanding, learning to trust God more deeply. Embracing these challenges with faith allows us to emerge stronger and more aligned with God's will. [18:18]
"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial you faced. What did it reveal about your character and faith, and how can you grow from this experience?
Day 4: God's Communication Today
While God may not speak audibly to us as He did with Abraham, He guides us through scripture, quiet nudges, and the wisdom of others. Our task is to discern His voice amidst the noise of life, aligning our decisions with His word. This requires a deep understanding of God's character, cultivated through a relationship with Him. By seeking His guidance and trusting in His character, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence and faith. [25:51]
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)
Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to listen for God's guidance and discern His voice more clearly?
Day 5: The Ultimate Sacrifice
The story of Abraham and Isaac foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice God made through Jesus Christ. Just as Abraham was willing to give up his son, God did not withhold His own Son from us. This act of love and sacrifice calls us to trust in God's goodness and to be willing to follow Him, even when the path is difficult. It reminds us that God does not ask us to do anything He hasn't done Himself, inviting us to trust in His love and provision. [42:37]
"He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you reflect on and respond to God's ultimate sacrifice in your daily life, trusting in His goodness and provision?
Quotes
1. "But we, we want every now and then for someone to make the decisions for us, the right decisions, too. You know, the decisions that, that are going to be the best for us, the decisions that are going to make it so I won't be in trouble with my spouse at the end of the day. Those decisions, we want someone to do that. We want to get it right. But most of the time, we're not sure what right is. I mean, even when we're talking about God, you put God into the mix, too, and it gets even, even more stressful, doesn't it?" ([00:13:09] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "This is testing. He tested Abraham. You know what testing does, right? Testing takes what's inside and makes it visible on the outside. It takes what's inside us and it, and it shows everyone on the outside. I used to do this analogy with a, with a cup and, and I would shake it up and I would say, what's coming out of this? And they said, you know, water or what? Cause I would never do that with coffee. That would be a waste." ([00:17:14] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "This word, Hanini, is used 17 times in the Old Testament. Now, Abraham is the first time, but we see other examples. Samuel, young Samuel's in the, in the temple and the old prophet tells him, when you hear that voice calling your name again, respond with Hanini. Here I am, Lord. There are other examples. Moses in the burning bush. When the burning bush speaks to Moses, his response is that same word, Hanini. Here I am." ([00:20:03] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "There's a principle here, and that is this. Your greatest ability is your availability. God doesn't need you to be a rocket scientist or a brain surgeon. He just needs you to be available. Your greatest ability is your availability. Say, Hanini. Here I am, Lord. Here I am, Lord." ([00:21:00] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "We get to know him better. And we know what decision to make the more we get to know God's character and nature through his Word. See, sometimes I think we get so caught up in making the right choice and stressing out about what decision we're going to make when really God's not concerned with us making so much with us making Christ-like choices as he is about us being Christ-like people who make choices. Does that make sense?" ([00:33:38] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "I think through this section, the thing that impresses me is that Abraham had faith in God, but God had faith in Abraham, too. See, out of all the people that were on the planet, God chose Abraham to be the one to start his nation. And it's the same for you. For you, Mom and Dad, your children could have been born to anyone on the planet, but God chose you. To teach. There's something in you to provide to those children or teacher." ([00:34:39] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "How do we follow a God who asks a father to sacrifice his only son? Because he was willing to do it first. The question for you and I today is, are we available? Are we willing to start our day by saying, Hanini? Here I am, Lord. Whatever it is, the answer is yes. Now, what's the question?" ([00:46:05] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "I want to do what's right. I'm scared of getting it wrong. And sometimes I don't know what right is. But here's what I do know. I do know who's asking me to follow him. I know the character and the nature of this God. And that he's not going to ask me to do anything. That he's not willing to do himself." ([00:43:46] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "And the good news is that Jesus has an offer for you to come and follow him, to become a part of his family, to be made right with God, because the reality is that we, because of our disobedience, we've been separated from a holy and just God. But God, in his goodness, he looked upon us and he said, I'm not okay with that. I need to correct that." ([00:47:40] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "And if you're ready now to surrender your life, to say, Hanini, here I am, Lord. My answer is yes, I'm ready to follow you. Ready to receive your grace, your forgiveness, your mercy. If you're ready to make that decision, then I want you to just pray with me and you can pray silently." ([00:48:24] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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