THE JOURNEY OF FAITH
CALLED — Discovering God’s Purpose for My Life
September 10, 2026 — When Calling Costs Something
Genesis 22:1–14
“And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.”
— Genesis 22:14 (KJV)
Abraham had waited years for Isaac.
This was not merely the son he loved. Isaac was the son God had promised—the one through whom God had said His covenant would continue.
Then came a command Abraham could not possibly have expected.
Take Isaac.
Go to Moriah.
Offer him there.
Suddenly, Abraham's calling had become costly.
Early the next morning, Abraham saddled his donkey and began the journey. Scripture does not tell us everything that passed through his mind during those three days. But we know what God had promised, and we know what God had commanded.
Somehow, Abraham had to hold both.
When Isaac asked, “Where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham answered with words that have echoed through generations:
“My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering.”
Abraham did not yet know how.
He simply trusted that God would provide.
And He did.
At the critical moment, God stopped Abraham. Nearby, caught by its horns in a thicket, was a ram.
The sacrifice had been provided.
Abraham named that place Jehovah-jireh — The LORD will provide.
There may be moments when following God's purpose costs us something.
Perhaps it costs comfort. Security. Time. Money. A familiar way of life. Perhaps we must surrender a dream—or even surrender our own idea of what God's plan was supposed to look like.
That can be especially difficult when the thing we are asked to place in God's hands seems connected to the very purpose He gave us.
Abraham could have asked, How can I surrender Isaac when Your promise depends upon Isaac?
But Abraham had learned something during his long journey of faith.
The promise did not ultimately depend upon Isaac.
It depended upon God.
Hebrews tells us that Abraham believed God was even able to raise Isaac from the dead. Abraham did not understand what God was going to do, but he had come to trust the One who had called him.
That is a deep place in the journey of faith.
At first we may follow God because we believe He will lead us toward something.
Eventually, He teaches us to follow because He is God.
Abraham climbed the mountain carrying something precious.
He came down knowing something even more precious:
The Lord will provide.
Prayer
Father, following You sometimes asks me to surrender things I would rather hold tightly. Teach me to trust You with what is precious to me. When I cannot understand what You are doing, remind me that Your faithfulness does not depend upon my understanding. Give me Abraham's faith to place everything in Your hands and believe that You will provide what is needed for the purpose You have given me. Amen.
THE JOURNEY OF FAITH
CALLED — Discovering God’s Purpose for My Life
September 10, 2026 — When Calling Costs Something
Genesis 22:1–14
“And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.”
— Genesis 22:14 (KJV)
Abraham had waited years for Isaac.
This was not merely the son he loved. Isaac was the son God had promised—the one through whom God had said His covenant would continue.
Then came a command Abraham could not possibly have expected.
Take Isaac.
Go to Moriah.
Offer him there.
Suddenly, Abraham's calling had become costly.
Early the next morning, Abraham saddled his donkey and began the journey. Scripture does not tell us everything that passed through his mind during those three days. But we know what God had promised, and we know what God had commanded.
Somehow, Abraham had to hold both.
When Isaac asked, “Where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham answered with words that have echoed through generations:
“My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering.”
Abraham did not yet know how.
He simply trusted that God would provide.
And He did.
At the critical moment, God stopped Abraham. Nearby, caught by its horns in a thicket, was a ram.
The sacrifice had been provided.
Abraham named that place Jehovah-jireh — The LORD will provide.
There may be moments when following God's purpose costs us something.
Perhaps it costs comfort. Security. Time. Money. A familiar way of life. Perhaps we must surrender a dream—or even surrender our own idea of what God's plan was supposed to look like.
That can be especially difficult when the thing we are asked to place in God's hands seems connected to the very purpose He gave us.
Abraham could have asked, How can I surrender Isaac when Your promise depends upon Isaac?
But Abraham had learned something during his long journey of faith.
The promise did not ultimately depend upon Isaac.
It depended upon God.
Hebrews tells us that Abraham believed God was even able to raise Isaac from the dead. Abraham did not understand what God was going to do, but he had come to trust the One who had called him.
That is a deep place in the journey of faith.
At first we may follow God because we believe He will lead us toward something.
Eventually, He teaches us to follow because He is God.
Abraham climbed the mountain carrying something precious.
He came down knowing something even more precious:
The Lord will provide.
Prayer
Father, following You sometimes asks me to surrender things I would rather hold tightly. Teach me to trust You with what is precious to me. When I cannot understand what You are doing, remind me that Your faithfulness does not depend upon my understanding. Give me Abraham's faith to place everything in Your hands and believe that You will provide what is needed for the purpose You have given me. Amen.
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