-  I've been thinking about Abraham... how he was so aware of God's personality and faithfulness... so sure of His ability to invade the natural world with His Power... so full of absolute, undaunted trust in His God... that somehow, someway, he knew that God would fulfill His promise, even if Isaac was sacrificed. This seems like such a harsh test, Lord... such a seemingly unloving thing to ask of any parent. But, hidden in this test, I think the Father of all Fathers was displaying what abandoned trust looks like. I think the Father was actually showing Abraham off, immortalizing him in scripture forever. God wanted all the world to see that Abraham's heart could not be moved to distrust Who God was! Adam and Eve were led down the path of deception, where they chose to believe a lie about their God and Creator. Ah, but Abraham, the Father of our faith, didn't waver; rather, he embraced the mystery of this command to give up his son of the promise because he believed in and trusted Who he knew God to be, even in this horrible and unfathomable request. Speak to me, Lord, about this mystery. 

+ It's often been said, "My ways are not your ways." This isn't meant to make you feel helpless and small but to let you REST...knowing without a shadow of a doubt that My plans are perfect and born out of love for My wayward world. Through Abraham, I wanted to show what real trust looks like. Oh, how Abraham loved and celebrated his beloved son! Could he have heard God right? Didn't he doubt his ability to hear God's voice? Couldn't he have withdrawn and held Isaac to himself, unable to even believe, let alone obey such a request? But remember this is the man who set out to an unknown destination at God's request. This is the man who waited for the promise until all natural hope was gone. He was too old. Sarah was well past childbearing age. He knew what a miracle Isaac was and how God had managed to fulfill His promise against all odds. He knew His Father could call things that are not as though they are and His Word could become flesh. So, when the word came to take this cherished son and sacrifice him, he obeyed completely because he knew His God was no ordinary God. Abraham overruled his emotions and his reasoning and stepped out into eternity simply because he knew Who God was - Love incarnate - Faithful and All-Powerful. His obedience gave him freedom!

Beloved, I want you to take all that is precious to you... everything that you hold as dear - your husband, your children, your music, your destiny, even your understanding of who you've been created to be - bring it ALL to the Father in full trust. Believe that He wants to fill you with revelation and faith. He wants you to know that everything about you is HIS... that all that you hold dear is only a reflection of His Love manifested in your life. Bring your offering... everything that is "you". Set it on the altar and look to Me. When you trust Me enough to give Me your all, you will be lifted into a new understanding of "She who the Son sets free is free indeed!" Your trust in My unfailing Love will soar! All you contemplate will be shining with a new understanding... a faith that explodes in your entire being and sets you in that place of perfect Peace. Nothing can touch you now! Your life and all you love have been covered over. Your offering has been received. You can rest that everything about you... all you love... are safe in My Embrace. Your gift, freely given, is then given back to you. This exchange transforms the power these once had over you. All fear of things not working out... of disappointment and loss...melts away like morning fog. You have risen up and put your face in the sun. Your Father's bright Glory has risen on you! Rejoice! You will never be the same!