Devotional for December 9th

 Abraham answered. ‘God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering…’

Genesis 22:8

PAUSE: Abraham was a man who loved and trusted God. But did he trust God with his whole heart? God blessed Abraham. But now God asked Abraham if he would worship Him even when it was hard. God said to Abraham, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love and show Me how much you love Me by giving him back to Me as a sacrifice.” God was asking Abraham to sacrifice the thing Abraham had dreamed of and longed for, his son Isaac. Abraham remembered God’s goodness and faithfulness, so he obeyed. The next morning he took Isaac to the mountain. Abraham believed God’s promise that Isaac would grow up and have a special family. He believed they would come back from the mountain together. As they were walking up the mountain Isaac asked Abraham, “Where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham replied, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” They kept walking and found the place where they built an altar.

Abraham was sad. He didn’t understand but he remembered that God was bigger, stronger and better than anything in the whole world. Even if Isaac died, God could raise him to life again. So, Abraham lifted his knife. Then God called out, “Abraham! Abraham! Do not lay a hand on the boy. Now I know you love me more than anything because you have not kept your only son from me.” Abraham looked up and found a ram caught in the bushes.

God had provided the lamb for the sacrifice just like Abraham told Isaac! Abraham and Isaac worshiped God on the mountain together. God blessed Abraham. Many years later, God would provide another lamb. He would send His only son, Jesus, to die for the sins of the world.

PRAY:  Thank you God for being my provider. Thank you that you love me so much that you would give your one and only son, the lamb of God. Help me to have faith and trust in you.

FAMILY ACTIVITY: Talk about all of the ways that God has blessed you. Make a paper chain and write one blessing from God on each strip. Glue or tape the strips together and hang them on your tree!