Let go, let God and get going
Let go and let God. How many times have you heard, or thought about these words. When things are tough we notice advice and teachings, some are true, but many are not. It can be hard to tell the difference when teachings look or sound right and only deviate slightly. Letting go and letting God is almost right, but to bring balance and keep it from leading us astray we need to add “get going”.
We can learn from Abraham that faith is not a single act, it is the way we live with God. Today’s Scripture focuses on a single act, but Abraham’s life was filled with many instances of the same principles being applied. Abraham gives to God out of gratitude, His fear of God is wrapped up in loving fascination, and He trust God in obedience. If we do the same we can live a life of purpose without being driven, or paralysed by fear.
Scripture
Hebrews 11:17-19 ESV By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, [18] of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” [19] He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
Bible Study Questions
In Genesis 17:17 we read about Abraham’s response to God’s promise to give him a son through his wife Sarah. How do we know that Abraham trusted God and that his laughter was in joyful gratitude? (Romans 4:20)
God tells Abraham that he should live in a certain way in Genesis 17:1-4. How is this way of life the same as the way Enoch lived? (Genesis 5:24)
Apart from joyful gratitude like that of Abel, Abraham’s obedience to God was motivated by other factors, which one of these factors was also what motivated Noah to build the Ark? (Genesis 12:22, Hebrews 11:7)
Another factor in Abraham’s obedience was trust in God’s word, how did Abraham know that he would go home with his son (Genesis 22:5), even though God had told him to offer up Isaac? (Hebrews 11:18-19)
In Genesis 22:13-14 Abraham’s trust that God would provide the perfect sacrifice in place of his son is fulfilled. Where else do we see a sacrifice provided by God, which takes the place of another?
In Genesis 22:17-18 God reiterates His promise to Abraham to bless his offspring and to make his offspring a blessing to others. Who is this offspring that God is speaking about?
Read Galatians Galatians 3:16, and then think about the answer to the previous question. How do we know that Abraham also knew what God was going to do through His only Son? (John 8:56)
Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank You for Your Son, Your Only Son our Lord Jesus Christ Whom You did not withhold from us. Thank You that He chose to lay His life down and to take it up again in order to save the eternal lives of many. Thank You for Your faithfulness, for the wonderful promises in Your Word. Thank You that You alone are awesome and powerful, glorious and good. Father, please forgive us when we allow fear to drive us in frantic activity - or to paralyse us and render us ineffective. Please help us to give our all for You, to appreciate Your awesome Holiness and grace, and to trust You in obedience. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Worship
Come and listen all you who fear God
Come and listen
Let me tell you what He's done for me
I cried out to Him with my mouth
His praise was on my tongue
If I had cherished sin in my heart
The Lord would not have listened
But God has surely listened
And heard my voice in prayer
But God has surely listened
And heard my voice in prayer
I cried out to Him with my mouth
His praise was on my tongue
If I had cherished sin in my heart
The Lord would not have listened
Praise be to God
Praise be to our God
Who has not rejected my prayer
Or withheld His love from me
Service
One way in which we can serve God by serving each other. Is to help others to overcome the fear that controls them. Who can you pray for this week? Ask God to help us to overcome our fear through a faithful daily walk with Him, and then ask Him to show us who we can encourage to do the same.