Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Genesis 22:13 reads: “Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.” Abraham had faced many trials before, but this was the most difficult of all. The Lord had told him to go up on Mount Moriah to sacrifice his son, Isaac. I think what made it even tougher for him was that he could not tell anybody why he was going up to the mountain. If he had, others would not have permitted it.
Being his biggest test, it stands to reason that it turned into his greatest joy when he realized what God had done for him. He provided a ram to be the sacrifice instead of his son. Perhaps that’s what Jesus was referring to when He told the opposing religious leaders of His day: “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.” (John 8:56) He was more than glad! Perhaps Abraham immediately realized that the coming Messiah would Himself be a sacrifice, with thorns on the top of His head, just as the ram which was caught in the thicket.
Life has many thorns but they should always remind God’s children of the beauty that surrounds them, just like in a rose. We must never forget that Jesus died so that these thorns (sin) would not destroy us. He even wore them on His forehead signifying that He took our sins upon Himself. I believe many of us rejoiced just as much as Abraham did on that day, when we understood what our Savior had done for us. Don’t let the thorns of life bother you more than they should. In fact, when you see them in your life, be reminded that help and relief are close by.
Memory verse for the week: (Colossians 3:23) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
