Genesis 22:16 Wholly Surrendered

and said, "By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord , because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son,

Observation
Last week in reading we found that Abraham was asked to travel to Canaan with his wife and nephew, Lot. He stepped out in faith, following a God he barely knew. Once to Canaan, God promised Abraham that one day Abraham's descendants would inhabit and flourish in the land of Canaan. Well, Abraham didn't have any children and was pretty old. God later promises Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son. After a long, long, time that promise is fulfilled. They do have a son and name Isaac. But then God asks Abraham to do the unthinkable, He asks Abraham to sacrifice his son as an offering to God. I could spend days thinking about the mind struggle Abraham must have gone through. The what if's, the why's; I imagine those thoughts tormented him as he set out for Mount Moriah, but Abraham sets his heart to do it anyway. And right before it is to happen, God provides a lamb and tells Abraham to sacrifice the lamb instead. But because of Abraham's willingness to give it all, God gives him a blessing that is still blessing others even now. In fact that blessing includes me (a study for another time).

Application
There are things we hold on to, things we don't trust God with. Maybe we think if we truly give them over to God, God will destroy it? Maybe we think we that God only wants some parts of our lives surrendered but not others? Both thoughts are what I've believed in my past. I've held on to my children and husband, unable to surrender them to God because I didn't trust that He would let them stay with me. Silly I know. But in pride I thought I knew what was best for them and for me. I also went through a time where I wouldn't surrender leading worship to God. I don't have any musical training or background, and knew I had no grounds to be up there (other than God called me to it). I thought if I gave it over to God, He would never give it back to me. With my family and with worship leading I had to lay them on the Mount Moriah of my heart and say God even if you don't give this back to me, even if I lose everything, I will follow You. It was terrifying and freeing. Now I ask God to search my heart for those things that I'm holding onto and help me surrender them to Him.

Prayer
Father, search my heart and show me the areas that I'm not trusting You in. I want to walk wholly surrendered to You always.