Topic: GOD IS NOT A TAKER – Bishop Mike Okonkwo Devotional 13 March 2020 [The Redeemed Evangelical Mission]
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GOD IS NOT A TAKER
“…By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for 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 sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” Genesis 22:16-18 KJV
God didn’t ask for Ishmael but Isaac, the one Abraham loved. Recall that Abraham had waited for Isaac for 25 years before the promise eventually manifested. Afterwards, God comes saying: ‘’bring him to me and sacrifice him to me on a mountain I will show you.’’ When Abraham saw the mountain afar off, he told the servants wait behind. “…Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you’’ (Genesis 22:5 KJV). Notice that Abraham said: “I and the lad will go yonder and worship…” He didn’t say to kill him. God is not a killer or a taker!
Whenever God demands something from you, it is in your best interest. I have seen that all through the scriptures. When your sacrifice becomes worship, God will show you who He is. When Abraham lifted his hand to kill his son, God showed up. He said: “I just wanted to know how much you love me. I wanted to know whether you prefer this gift than me the Giver! A lamb has already been provided.’’ That is what Jehovah ‘Jireh’ means.
Ever before you got to the mountain of obedience, God was already there on your behalf. The ram was caught in a thicket. Look at that! You know that rams fight with their horns. God was saying in effect, ‘’I have taken the fight out of your blessing.’’ You are not going to struggle to get it. No more fight! You are getting it released to you.
Further Reading: Genesis 22:1-18
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Deuteronomy 16-18; Evening- Mark 13:1-20