Bound in Fear

Gem of the Day
Sometimes we forget the call to follow Jesus includes rope. In the beginning grace wells up thankfulness and we make promises to ourselves and to God, to endure His will. Then, just as the honeymoon glow fades with lovers, so too does the follower's sacrificial devotion.

Oswald asks the believer yet again, if they are ready to "be poured out like a drink offering" before the Lord. He suggests many are not for the single reason they run from sacrifice.

Oswald's devotional speaks to those willing to praise Christ in the spring and summer seasons of life. They thank Him for new beginnings and may even serve Him in the warm rays of the sun. Yet, a single cloud can blow in with the winds of fall, casting a shadow on their life and their spirits are inclined to question the God who loves them: why has God suddenly turned against us? Their fear of struggle and pain causes them to flee the altar that will refine them. And this some do in fall, before winter's frost buries life in ice and the sun is blacked out due to a canvas of gray.

Lest you think I sit in judgement, I confess I am often consumed with fear at times over what a cloud may bring with it. My heart begs and pleads with the Lord on a regular basis, to be saved from the storms of life. Yet, each time I offer my petition I find my heart squeezed slightly by the Holy Spirit:

"O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you?"

Jesus words most certainly share God's perspective about doubting spirits. They test God's patience and evoke His mercy. Charles Stanley would add that God loves every child, weak or strong in faith and therefore will never abandon them, though in turn we leave our bridegroom waiting at the altar.

In the days of the Tabernacle, the Israelites worshiped through offering sacrifices to the Lord. The various animals were brought to the altar for the ritual. The unsuspecting animal would be restrained so they would not struggle as their throat was opened, a bowl held underneath to capture the flow of blood. The blood was then sprinkled on the horns of the altar and portions of the animal were used for further ritual worship.

Oswald proclaims the believer is to bind themselves to the altar so that in trying seasons they do not denounce the Lord and flee the refining fire of his altar of sacrifice. "You "bind the sacrifice...to the horns of the altar" and see to it that you don't wallow in self-pity once the fire begins."

Does anyone race to the altar of God? Certainly not. Likewise, who in their human strength can lie still under the knife? Therefore, it is wise for believers to bind themselves so they also do not struggle upon the altar. Even wiser for the child of God to bind himself to the altar in the summer when they are strong. Thereby when the winds of winter blow or unexpected storms roll in, they are securely fastened and in their weakness will not be able to escape the Lord's will.

Digging Deeper
God realizes it does not come naturally for man to climb upon the altar.
A remarkable example of dying to self and trusting the goodness of God is found in Abraham and his son Isaac. While most teachings point to the faith of Abraham--to obey God's command to sacrifice his only son Isaac--I want to highlight the faith of Isaac.

The Bible narration of their journey up the mountain til "they reached the place God had told him about," says little of Isaac's thoughts,(Genesis 22:9NIV). There is however, mention of Isaac's pondering:what exactly would be sacrificed that day?

"Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?"
"Yes, my son?" Abraham replied.
"The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"

What parent would not be delighted to find their child as content as Isaac with a single answer. There is no record of the boy making a second or third inquiry or offering up any protests or nagging complaints like: "Are we there yet?" No, Isaac followed his aged father up a hill. The wood he would be sacrificed upon carried on his back, while he said nothing more on the matter. Like Jesus, Isaac carried a cross of obedience: a cross willed by his father, which would also require death.

"Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood,"(Genesis 22:9).

The scripture says, "He bound his son Isaac," (Genesis 22:9) Yet, circumstances being what they were, it seems reasonable that Isaac--also like Jesus--submitted to the will of his father: In allowing himself to be bound. This father and son are most certainly a foreshadow of the Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus. As Jesus willing laid down his life on the altar, I believe Isaac did the same.

However, if Isaac was also willing to be a sacrifice, why the rope? The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. The bible does not say binding Isaac was Abraham's idea. It merely state's Abraham bound his son. Considering what follows this act in the Bible it is probable, Isaac asked to be bound. In so doing, when Abraham lit the fire and raised the knife, Isaac's act of faith would not be stolen by fear or doubt. His sacrifice was secure because it was bound upon the altar with faith: Father and son trusting the goodness of God and thereby tying their will securely to the LORD's will.

Like Isaac, Christians are wise to tie themselves to the altar of God when they are strong in the spring and summer seasons of life. But how does one do this?

The rope used to subdue the flesh must be faith. The stronger ones faith, the stronger they are tethered to God's altar. Imagine fashioning a spiritual safety line by adding day by day another strand of trust to the cord. Each little step in trusting the Lord's goodness and plan for us is like a single strand working to fashion a rope that can withstand the hottest flame.

Isaac's story continues beyond this altar of sacrifice. What Isaac may have thought to be his wintry end, God made a new beginning of spring. God blessed Abraham richly for his obedience and in turn, Abraham passed his blessings on to his God fearing son. Isaac remained faithful to the Lord and was blessed with a good wife, Rebekah, together they built a family and continued the heritage of faith beget by his father, Abraham.

The account of Isaac's life appears to be evidence that the young man remained in the will of God. Following the steps of his father up a hill of sacrifice, Isaac sets an example to his brothers and sisters who follow in the family of faith. For no one knows better than Isaac how important it is to submit to the altar of God.

If believers will follow the pattern of Isaac when the call comes from the father to lie down, we like Abraham and Isaac will come face to face with the Lamb of God ourselves. And for some, the test will be over, as the Lord cries out, "Abraham! Abraham!...Do not lay a hand on the boy...Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God," (Genesis 22:12).

Lord, may we fear you enough to bind ourselves in faith, so that fear of less does not separate us from your presence or your glory. Jesus, make our faith strong!