… Abraham had tried many times in his life to make God’s promise come true on his own terms. He had deceived others and put his wife in harm’s way to protect himself. He had a son with his wife’s maidservant just to make sure there would be an heir. Over and over, Abraham’s outward faith is challenged by his anxious behavior.

But this time is different. God had fulfilled his promise and was asking Abraham if he was willing to give it all up to trust God? When God’s promises or God’s blessings in our lives become more valuable to us than God himself, we have a serious problem.

But look at the rest of the story. A ram comes in the thicket and God spares Isaac. Abraham names the place, “The Lord provides” …