Trusting His Faithfulness

Hebrews 11:17-19 says, “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.’ He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.”  

What makes somebody trustworthy? For me, it is when someone is faithful. What I mean by that is they do what they say they are going to do. God promised to make a great nation through Abraham’s offspring. Abraham and his wife, Sarah, waited 25 years for God to start fulfilling the promise. Finally, their son, Isaac, was born. God told Abraham that through his son, Isaac, the nation would be named.  

Sometime after Isaac was born, God asked Abraham to do something that seemed crazy. God asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac like a lamb (Um, excuse me?). Yes, you read that correctly. Abraham and Sarah had waited all those years for God to start fulfilling the promise, and now God tells Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. However, Abraham trusted God’s faithfulness because God always did what He said He would do. Abraham trusted God so much that he took Isaac and tied him to the altar, ready to sacrifice him. Abraham knew that God would keep His promise even if God had to raise Isaac from the dead. Just before Abraham made the sacrifice, God provided a ram to be used instead of Isaac. God was testing Abraham. Abraham trusted God’s faithfulness!  

Who is someone who is faithful in your family? What makes that person faithful? 

God was faithful to Abraham. God always did what He promised Abraham He would do. Parents, how has God been faithful in your life? Kids, how has God been faithful in your life? 

If God has been faithful to you and your family in the past, can you trust Him at His word with your future? What are some steps you can take to learn to trust His faithfulness even more? 

God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice Isaac. How did God show His faithfulness in a similar way to the whole world (John 3:16)? 

God faithfully sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins. How do we trust Jesus to forgive us our sins and save us (Romans 10:9)? 

Family Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being so faithful to us. Thank You for always doing what You promise You will do. Please help us when we are struggling with the difficulties of life. When things seem impossible, help us to remember how faithful You have been to us. Lord, remind us how faithful You are, and help us to remember how faithful You will be in our future. Lord, we thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to be the sacrifice that can set all who believe in Him free from our sin. Lord, we love You and we ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.