Genesis 21:1–3; 22:1–14
The story of Abraham and Sarah receiving the gift of Isaac is one of pure joy. After years of longing and waiting, God’s promise finally takes flesh in their arms. Isaac represents not only their hope for a child but also the unfolding of God’s larger promise: that through their family – their blessing – would reach the whole world.
But just as the gift is celebrated, the story takes a jarring turn. Abraham is asked to offer up Isaac, the very child of promise. The contrast is stark: the laughter of a long-awaited birth gives way to the silence of a hard test.
This movement from gift to test is something we know well in our own lives. We celebrate milestones, answered prayers, moments of blessing, only to find that not long after, life throws us into a season of trial. It can feel confusing: why would God give us something good, only for it to be tested?
Yet the story reminds us that even in the hardest test, God is present. Abraham names the place “The Lord will provide.” That doesn’t mean he knew the outcome from the start, but that he discovered God’s provision only by walking through the uncertainty.
Faith often looks like this: holding the gift with gratitude, walking through our struggles and trials with trust, and discovering God’s presence in ways we couldn’t have seen before.
As you reflect on this story through the week, sit with the following questions:
- When have you experienced a moment of joy or blessing followed by a season of struggle?
- How do you hold on to gratitude for God’s gifts even in times of uncertainty?
- What would it mean for you to name a place in your life “The Lord will provide”?
Let’s pray as we carry these questions with us:
Faithful God, you are the giver of every good gift and the sustainer through every trial. Teach us to hold the blessings of life with gratitude and to trust your presence when tests come. When the way feels uncertain, remind us that you are the One who provides. We place our lives, our hopes, and our loved ones in your care, through Christ our Lord. AMEN
