“THE TESTING”
READ: Genesis 22 (Focus vs.1–3 & 6–12)
MEMORY VERSE
“Some time later God tested Abraham.” Genesis 22:1
BACKGROUND
The first time I took my sons to hike a Colorado Fourteener—a mountain with an elevation of a least 14,000 feet—they were nervous. Could they make it? Were they up to the challenge?
My youngest stopped on the trail for extended breaks. “Dad, I can’t go any more,” he said repeatedly. But I believed this test would be good for them, and I wanted them to trust me.
A mile from the peak, my son who’d insisted he could go no further caught his second wind and beat us to the summit. He was so glad he trusted me, even amid his fears.
I marvel at the trust Isaac had in his father as they climbed their mountain. Far more, I’m undone by the trust Abraham had in God as he raised his knife over his son (Genesis 22:10).
Even with his confused and wrenching heart, Abraham obeyed. Mercifully, an angel stopped him. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” God’s messenger declared (v. 12). God never intended for Isaac to die.
As we draw parallels from this unique story to our own with caution, it’s crucial to note the opening line: “God tested Abraham” (v. 1). Through his test, Abraham learned how much he trusted God. He discovered His loving heart and profound provision.
In our confusion, darkness, and testing, we learn truths about ourselves and about God. And we may even find that our testing leads to a deeper trust in Him.
By: Winn Collier
INSIGHT
Genesis 22:1, 15–18 make it clear that God tested Abraham to examine his heart. While God may test our faith and obedience (James 1:2–4), He never tempts us to do wrong (v. 13).
The writer of Hebrews commended the patriarch’s deep faith: “Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again” (Hebrews 11:19 NLT).
The apostle James said that “Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar. . . . His actions made his faith complete” (James 2:21–22 NLT).
By: K. T. Sim
APPLICATION
How do you believe you’ve been tested by God? What was that experience like, and what did you take away from it?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
God’s tests are designed to bend/prepare us so we can weather upcoming storms. The world’s tests come to frustrate/break us – pr
In school to move to the next grade you have to pass a test – pr
In life: “You always get tested the most before you progress to the next level” – Anonymous
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (My Re-Emphasis from Post)
“In our confusion, darkness, and testing, we learn truths about ourselves and about God. And we may even find that our testing leads to a deeper trust in Him.”
*YOUR TAKE? 
PRAYER
“God, I don’t know if what I’m experiencing is Your testing or not, but either way, I want to trust You. I give my future to You”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“HE SAID” Group 1 Crew
So your life feels like it don’t make sense
And you think to yourself, ‘I’m a good person’
So why do these things keep happening?
Why you gotta deal with them?
You may be knocked down now
But don’t forget what He said, He said
I won’t give you more, more then you can take
And I might let you bend, but I won’t let you break
And No-o-o-o-o, I’ll never ever let you go-o-o-o-o
Don’t you forget what He said
Who you are ain’t what your going through
So don’t let it get the best of you
Cause God knows everything you need,
So you ain’t gotta worry
You may be knocked down now
But just believe what He said, He said
I won’t give you more, more then you can take
And I might let you bend, but I won’t let you break
And No-o-o-o-o, I’ll never ever let you go-o-o-o-o
Don’t you forget what He said
Don’t fear when you go through the f…