I GIVE UP!!

Whatcha mean 'Lik?

"Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife.  As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, 'Father?'...'Yes, my son?' Abraham replied.  'The fire and the wood are here', Isaac said, 'but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?'....Abraham answered, 'God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.' And the two of them went on together." (GENESIS 22: 6-8)

Do you remember this game? 

YOU:  Stop twisting my arm!!!
ME:  Say please!
YOU:  NEVER!
ME:  Say pppllleeasssse....
YOU:  Okay, alright, please...I GIVE UP!!

As a child, we would play these games.  They were like mini quizzes...tests.  When we could not figure stuff out, we would easily give up.  These games tested us but allowed us to reset and just GIVE UP when we were tired of it, without changing the outcome.  In our adult life, that is not the case.  We want to give up, but we can't.  I don't like this job, I can't figure out how to fix this situation, I can understand this dilemma....I GIVE UP!!

However, in the spiritual context 'GIVING UP' has a different meaning.  GIVING UP symbolizes a sacrifice, a crucifixion, a suppressing of flesh where we must depend on faith and God's grace.  It is not easy though.  This 'giving up' does not create the same outcome, but alters things in our life.  We have to suppress our personal thoughts and just trust and believe GOD will carry us through....hoping for a better situation/outcome. 

The prior scripture, Abraham was instructed by GOD to take his son, his only son, to Moriah and sacrifice him.  Hmmmm...who will sacrifice their only son or daughter that you love as a burnt offering if GOD told you to do it?  I know I will be transparent and be hesitant to say....I am going to go, but I would still would question..."Is this really you God telling me to do this?"  Point #1:  God knows what you don't know.  Lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6)

AS they kept going Isaac, even as a young boy, realized that 'something just ain't right here.  One plus one is not equaling two.  There is the wood and the fire, but no sacrifice.  So the young boy questioned "his father".  He responds..."God will provide".  Point #2:   Who am I/who are You to question our "FATHER", our GOD.  I am who I am (Exodus 3:14)

The scripture continues with Abraham reaching Moriah and building the altar there to sacrifice his son, his only son.  At that point the angle of the LORD appeared and showed Abraham the ram in the thicket to sacrifice.  Point #3:  If you believe and patient, God will provide a blessing.  I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief (Mark 9:24). 

What are you willing to give up to get closer to GOD?  What do you fear letting go of?  Is it your relationship, your job, your money...what holds you back from getting in the face of GOD and HIM providing for you?  Think about it.  We all have something that blocks our worship.  Whatever it is, pray on it, fast on it, and let go, and LET GOD.  God wants your full commitment.  We have to be obedient to our purpose and always bring our BEST OFFERING to the lord and what better offering is to give OURSELVES.

Are you ready to GIVE UP????