Abraham Believed God

In this episode, we dive into Abraham’s incredible journey of faith and the tough choices he had to make when God asked him to do the unthinkable. It’s a powerful reminder that even when life doesn’t make sense, trusting God can lead to something greater than we imagined. Join us for a message of hope, encouragement, and spiritual growth rooted in unwavering belief.

Gospel in the Air is a podcast ministry of Cornerstone Christian Church. We are located in Maui, Hawaii, USA. Our number is (808) 463-8859. You can also visit our website at www.cornerstonemaui.org or you can send your email to danibanggo@gmail.com.

Transcript

Episode 30 

Abraham Believed God

Scripture: Genesis 22: 1-12

© Dani Banggo 05/08/2025

Greetings from the beautiful island of Maui, Hawaii! I hope you're doing well today. I pray that you will gain new insights into living as the Holy Spirit shares His passion for saving humanity, desiring that no one should perish but that all will come to repentance. Before we start our devotion, let's say a prayer. Let us pray:

Dear God, heavenly Father, I praise you and bless your holy name. Thank you for this unique and wonderful opportunity to share your words on the air. May you touch lives and move my listeners' hearts. Remove any obstacles that might hinder the success of your words so that they can bring results and achieve the purpose for which you have sent them. I understand that some of my listeners right now might be hurting or deeply affected by a crisis they are facing today, whether it be financial burdens, health issues, or concerns related to life. Father, our only hope is in you. I trust you, and I intercede on their behalf for their healing and blessing. Grant them the desires of their hearts and, by your Spirit, convict them to commit their lives to Jesus by faith as their Lord and Savior. In His name, I pray, Amen.

Our devotional meditation is found in the book of Genesis, chapter 22, verses 1 to 12. It is titled: “Abraham Believed God.”

In the past, God called Abraham to leave his homeland and settle in Canaan (12:1). God made a covenant with him, promising protection (15:1) and many descendants (17:2), saying, "I will protect you" and "I will guarantee to give you countless descendants." However, despite this promise, Sarah, his wife, remained barren. At the time, Abraham was 99 years old, and Sarah was 89, and they still had no children.

Twenty-four years earlier, when Abraham was 85 and Sarah was 75, they decided to take matters into their own hands, anticipating God's plan. This was a mistake. An unwanted child, Ishmael, was born to Hagar, Sarah's maidservant, causing discord and bitterness in the household. Abraham and Sarah thought they were doing the right thing by acting on their own terms, reasoning that they were too old to wait any longer. They believed that if they didn't act immediately, God's promise would never come to fruition. But they were wrong. They made a grave mistake because it was not God's will. God intended for a child to be born from Sarah herself, not from Hagar. While we can understand Abraham and Sarah's sincerity in trying to fulfill God's promise, they compromised God's word for their own comfort. Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." We cannot justify our actions by saying, "It's okay, God will understand."

Yet, God's faithfulness remains unwavering. His promises came true when it seemed humanly impossible—at a time when Abraham and Sarah were well advanced in age. Finally, a child was born to Abraham at 100 years old and to Sarah at 90 (Gen. 17:17). From a scientific standpoint, this was beyond belief and unfathomable. How could they conceive a child naturally at such an old age? For humans, it was an impossibility, but with God, everything is possible. The prophet Jeremiah emphasized God's boundless power when he declared to Jerusalem: “I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jer. 32:27).

Surely, nothing is beyond the Lord's power. He transcends time and space, limitless and sovereign. He reigns supreme over the universe and controls human affairs. What right do we, as finite beings, have to question or doubt Him? Only the proud and stubborn hearts deny His existence and faithfulness. It is humanity's lack of belief and faith that limits God. Unbelief is the most grievous sin against the Lord. Scripture tells us that God's people are broken off due to unbelief (Romans 11:20). The story of the ancient Israelites wandering in the wilderness exemplifies this. Their hardened hearts led them to constant complaints and grumbling against God. Consequently, they were unable to enter the Promised Land, dying in the wilderness, except for a few like Joshua and Caleb, whose devotion and faithfulness were recognized along with the younger generation aged 19 and below (Hebrews 3:19).

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul reminds them of the Israelites' unfaithfulness, saying, "These events happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn those of us who live at the end of the age" (1 Cor. 10:11). This serves as a caution for us even today urging both Christian men and women, young and old, to remain faithful in these perilous times. Peter echoes this sentiment by saying, "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil, who prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour" (1 Pet. 5:8). God seeks our unwavering loyalty, demanding that we trust and believe in His words. Although we may face numerous trials and tough challenges along life's path, these should not deter us from maintaining our hope and faith in God.

Perhaps you have received alarming medical news about your condition. Take heart and be courageous, for there is a God upon whom you can rely. Continue to trust Him and believe in Him completely, leaving all your burdens to Him because He is faithful. As 1 Peter 5:7 says, "Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you." It is comforting to know that there is a loving God who remains faithful and caring to His children who place their trust in Him.

In our story, God is not yet finished with Abraham. He still has one more test to prove his devotion. God called him, and perhaps Abraham eagerly anticipated words of comfort and promise as before. Instead, what he heard was the opposite. I imagine he was utterly shocked and devastated by God's command: "Go, take your son with you and kill him!" (Gen. 22:2). Isaac, his only child, was his most cherished possession. To Abraham, Isaac was everything; nothing could replace him. Now, God was asking Abraham to sacrifice him. Abraham was dumbfounded and speechless. He could not believe what he heard. "What, Lord? You want me to kill my son?" Isaac meant the world to Abraham and Sarah. In their old age, he was the center of their joy and happiness. Yet, God wanted to take him away. How could this be? It seemed as though God was contradicting Himself. Abraham likely wrestled with these thoughts in solitude, struggling with the decision he had to make. Notably, he kept this matter to himself and never discussed it with Sarah.

Abraham was a human being, just like you and me. He faced the same struggles, frustrations, and discouragements that we all experience when we make mistakes. Abraham was not exempt from committing serious errors in judgment. He lied twice about Sarah being his wife to save his own life. But that was in the past. After many years of experiences with the Lord, he had changed. At this point, Abraham had a critical choice to make for himself and his family. This decision was neither simple nor easy; it involved choosing to trust God’s word or following his own heart. 

Often, we fail because we do not involve God in our plans and decisions. We rely on our own strength and capabilities, and we boast about our intellect. Some individuals find fortune in the world, earning huge profits year after year, while others achieve great success in their careers. But merely mentioning God in their accomplishments irritates them, as they claim to be the masters of their own fate. Why thank God and give Him all the credit when it was their hard work that got them there? They believe they reached the pinnacle of success through their own diligence and perseverance. Why give glory to God when it should be their effort that gets the credit and honor? This is a worldly perspective that many hold. 

We cannot blame anyone for this viewpoint because God has given us the freedom to choose the kind of life we want to live and support. God does not force His choices upon us, but in the end, the choices we make can be costly if we choose wrongly. Remember Adam and Eve? They paid a hefty price for their choice, and the whole world suffered as a consequence. I pray you choose a godly life in Christ that leads to eternal life rather than worldly success, which is temporary and leads to trouble and sorrow (1 Tim. 6:10). On the other hand, it is comforting to know that there are successful businesspeople, career individuals, and professionals who fear God and honor Him with their success stories. Their actions are not in vain but done for the glory of God (1 Tim. 6:19).

It wasn't so much that God commanded Abraham to kill his son, but rather He wanted to test Abraham's faith. God instructed him to “Take him now and offer him to me!” Notice how God delayed fulfilling His promise of giving Abraham descendants because Abraham wasn't ready yet. God didn't immediately give him a child from Sarah. God wanted Abraham's faith to grow first. Remember, Abraham came from a pagan background and even worshiped other gods (Joshua 24:2). Before his name was changed to Abraham, he was called Abram, which means "exalted father," a name honoring the moon god he and his father worshiped (Joshua 24:1). God wanted Abraham to mature spiritually. During those years of waiting, Abraham experienced many trials, including raising a son that wasn't in God's plan for him.

Abraham believed he was on the right path, but it turned out he was following a different route. It was his fault for not consulting God before deciding to conceive a child with Hagar. Abraham's story reflects our own journeys of faith and highlights a fundamental truth about God's nature that we often overlook: God's eternal faithfulness despite our flaws and mistakes. If God hadn't been patient with Abraham, especially when he and Sarah went ahead with their plan to conceive Ishmael with Hagar without consulting God, Abraham would have missed out on the greatest honor ever given by God to any human—being recognized as righteous and the father of faith among all believers (Romans 4:3). God's timing is perfect. He waited until Abraham was 100 years old to fully mature in his faith. It's wonderful to learn this truth about faith. If we trust God completely, we don't need to worry; we just need to wait patiently because our faith is growing towards full maturity. 

It's no wonder there are longings that remain unanswered despite our fervent prayers. If you ask people today what they're up to, most will tell you they're waiting. They are waiting to go on vacation, waiting to buy a home, waiting to graduate, waiting to get married, waiting for a promotion, waiting for retirement—the list never seems to end. But one thing that some misguided people are not willing to wait for is the day when the Lord will come from heaven "with countless thousands of his holy ones to execute judgment on the people of the world" (Jude 14). This should be your greatest concern right now if you haven't yet committed your life to the Lord by faith, regardless of your situation and circumstances. You need to set your life in order. Do it quickly and don't delay if you have the power to do so. Accept the Lord by committing your life to Him by faith.

As we conclude our story, Abraham had three days to reach Moriah, giving him ample time to ponder whether to go through with God's command. Torn between his love for his son and his desire to obey God, Abraham faced a difficult decision. He knew that true faith required trusting God completely, even if it meant giving up what he cherished most. The future God had promised seemed unclear, but Abraham understood that faith meant trusting God beyond reason. When reason fails, faith takes over. Abraham embodied this living faith by not questioning or doubting, but by taking God at His word regardless of the circumstances. As they climbed the mountain, Isaac broke the silence, asking, "My father, where is the sheep for the burnt offering?" Abraham replied, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." The deep bond between them was evident as they addressed each other with love and trust. Despite the heavy burden, Abraham's faith shone through his response to his son.

Abraham was aware of the severe consequences of his actions, as child sacrifice was against God's law, and he could not fathom how he would explain this to Sarah. However, his determination and certainty in God's control were unwavering. Abraham believed wholeheartedly that God could raise Isaac from the dead if necessary. Although Isaac was not literally dead, the Bible says, "In a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead" (Heb. 11:19). This profound faith is truly remarkable and worth emulating!

And the angel of the Lord declared, "Now I know that you fear God!" Abraham had passed the test. He triumphed, and as a result, he was blessed beyond all expectations. He became the progenitor of a great nation, with descendants as numerous as the sands on the seashore, from whom the Messiah would emerge. His name stood as a lasting testament to the essence of faith. Abraham's reverence for God was the foundation for all the blessings he received, both physical and spiritual.

Just like Abraham, you may be experiencing highs and lows in your life. Perhaps you’ve been living in a way that isn’t right with God or your loved ones. You might be struggling with addiction, a recurring problem that has negatively impacted others. You could be feeling depressed and worried due to financial burdens that remain unresolved. Maybe you’re facing a life-threatening illness, and your doctor has given you a limited time to live, extinguishing all hope and joy. You might have been waiting for a job opportunity for a long time, with no openings in sight. Bills are piling up, and you have no way to pay for them. You are facing a seemingly insurmountable situation with no hope in sight.

I want to tell you today that there is hope in Jesus Christ. Nothing is lost or wasted. What you need to do is come to the Lord by faith and entrust all your burdens to Him, for He is faithful to His promises. Proverbs 3:5-6 assures us of our hope in God, stating, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” Truly, our Lord Jesus Christ is your hope today and forever. He will comfort you, transforming your tears into joy. If you confess your sins to Him, He will forgive and purify you from all unrighteousness. Trust in Him, and He will grant you the desires of your heart. Keep your faith strong in the Lord.

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, may You lead people to place their faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ, who is our ultimate source of hope in this life and the next. Fulfill the desires of their hearts and bless them abundantly. For those facing life-threatening illnesses, I ask for Your healing touch and the gift of extended life, just as You granted King Hezekiah an additional 15 years to prepare his life. Many are yet to surrender their lives to Your Son, and I pray earnestly for their salvation. Save them, dear Lord. I pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

I hope you have been blessed today. Please continue to stay tuned and share this message with your family and friends. May you be strengthened and encouraged in your journey of faith. Thank you for the privilege of your time. This is your host, brother Dani Marantan Banggo, reminding you to keep fighting the good fight of faith. Until next time, Mahalo!