Read: Genesis 22:15–19
Abraham, because you have done this, and have not withheld Isaac, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. Genesis 22:16–17
God intends for us to have everything we need. Food, clothing, shelter, friendship, love, and fulfilling vocations and avocations are all part of God’s plan for us. But often there is a barrier that prevents us from receiving all that God is prepared to give us. In the Bible, blessing is only fully released into someone’s life when they are finally willing to give up the thing they love most in the world. God is supposed to be our first priority and our first love, but other loves and priorities have a way of crowding God out of our lives. Therefore, we may have to be willing to sacrifice something that has become dear to us if we want to enter into God’s abundant favor.
When you finally give up that thing that has become too dear to you—when you finally make God your first priority and love—abundant blessings follow, and what you give is forever outweighed by what you get in return.
What passion, love, or lust might you need to give up for God to take a more central role in your life?
Lord, I love so many things. Work, play, family, food . . . there is so much of life I enjoy. I admit that I place many things before You in my life. My priorities are out of line. Help me to reorder my life so that all that I am and all that I do centers in You. Help me to stop clinging so tightly to the things I have, so that my hands and my heart can be open to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. AMEN.