March 2001

[Part 122]

“Issues of the heart”

[Part Forty]

Hope For the Fearful Heart! [X]

“WHO CAN I TURN TO?”

In times of crises, why would any believer in Christ turn to other men (of faith, or non-faith) before, or instead of, reaching out to Him? It is because we still harbor latent fear in our hearts that: 1) God won’t act swiftly enough to resolve the situation; or 2) He won’t act according to our will to resolve the situation; or worst of all, 3) He won’t act at all to resolve the situation until after we are required to endure the situation! None of these options are acceptable to a flesh-controlled soul!
                The sudden occurrence of fiery trials in our lives registers first in our human intellect which sends impulses to our emotions that begin churning as a troubled sea; then based on these feelings, our self-will at once seeks an avenue of self-defense! If an immediate determination of termination cannot be made by ourselves for this threat to our present state of well-being, we quickly seek out another source of human help! But such reactions are those of a man of flesh, not a man of spirit! A heart full of faith always keeps the soul anchored to the serene shores of heaven, that in times of trouble, he has only to seek Sufficient Grace to accept and endure the fire to its divine conclusion! Thus he presents himself a “living sacrifice” and victorious “overcomer” to His Father in heaven!
                What does it mean when we seek the help of FLESH before seeking the help of CHRIST? It means we are listening to the loud, insistent voice of our mind of flesh instead of waiting to hear the comforting “still small Voice” of our Savior! By this, we permit the carnal mind to supplant the Mind of Christ on the throne of our hearts! Such a travesty must be unacceptable to a man of faith. In this and the next few episodes, we will observe some reactions of our faithful forefathers to the fiery ordeals that befell them- and let them inspire us to seek higher frontiers of faith!

“It came to pass that God tested and proved (the faith of) Abraham as He called to him, ‘Abraham’; who replied, ‘Here I AM’!” [This is Christ within answering His Father!] Then God said, ‘Take now Isaac, your son, YOUR ONLY SON WHOM YOU LOVE (discounting Ishmael entirely) and go to the land of Moriah [Heb 4179 “seen by God”] and on one of the mountains I will show you OFFER HIM AS A BURNT OFFERING!” Abraham offers no rebuttal, seeks no clarification of order; attempts no negotiation for commutation of this death sentence; and seeks NO consultation with anyone- even Sarah, the mother of Isaac, the intended victim! Rather, “Abraham arose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, cut enough wood for the offering, took two servants, and Isaac, and went up to the place God indicated! Then ON THE THIRD DAY (the same day Jesus arose from the dead),Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off! [This shows the inner condition of this man of faith; for as God tells us later in the NT, whoever does not believe in His“Exceeding great and precious Promises” (such as He made to Abraham concerning Isaac); and “Whoever lacks diligence to add to his faith: virtue, knowledge, temperance (self-control), patience (long-suffering), Godliness also brotherly kindness and charity (true Godly love)- he is blind and cannot see afar off!” (1 Pet 1:3-10) Then Jb 39:27-30 says, “Doesn’t the eagle mount up at Your command to nest in a high, inaccessible place? She dwells and abides on the rock [1 Cor 10:4 says, “The Rock was Christ”!] From the sharp pinnacle of this rock, which is a well- fortified place, she seeks his prey with eyes that SEE AFAR OFF!! Her young ones need to suck up blood, so wherever the slain are, she is there!” Isaac was Abraham’s “young one”; but also he was slated to be the “slain one” meaning he would have to drink his own blood! Then later, Jesus, the Perfect Sacrifice, says, “Unless you eat My flesh and DRINK MY BLOOD, you have no Life in you!! But whoever does this ...has Eternal Life (See Jn 17:3); and I will raise him up at the last day...and he shall dwell in Me as I will dwell in him!” (Jn 6:53-56)]

“Abraham told his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the lad go up yonder to WORSHIP! [THIS IS THE FIRST USE OF THIS WORD IN SCRIPTURE!] Then we will return to you. [Abraham’s faith says both he and Isaac would be back!] This account uses the only reference to Jehovah-Jireh, meaning, “GOD my Provider”!]

                We know the rest of this great story: indeed God provides a substitute-sacrifice for Isaac! [For those who don’t, read Gen 22:1-19.] Verse 19 validates Abraham’s faith as he returns to his servants and they all continue on their journey together. Sons of God are often characterized as “eagle saints” for their “far-off vision” without which we all perish and are naked in His sight! (Pr 29:18) But also they have learned to “Wait upon the Lord to receive new strength so they can mount up with wings as eagle! Then they will run and not be weary, also walk and not faint!” (Isa 40:31) God’s people still weary themselves with self works and often faint as they trod the way of faith, but soon that shall end when the sons of God mount up with wings as eagles!!

[TO BE CONTINUED]