Divine implication of Responding to a Divine Call
"And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. [2] And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of". (Genesis 22:1-2)
When we say that God has conquered a man to use him, what do we mean? Every Divine call has its implications. A call is God's avenue of recruiting men for service. You can have a call but if God fails to conquer you, his purpose through that call might not be birthed and fulfilled. Hence for God to use us he must as a matter of necessity seek ways of bringing us into alignment to his ways, means, methods, patterns of operation. He can only achieve this by conquering that man. In these days every one claims to be called. And men are recruiting themselves for ministry forgetting that it's a Divine call. Though this is typical of man, but this process of alignment cannot be fabricated. It is a course that only Heaven offers and certifies. From the above scriptures, we can see the implication of Abraham's call and learn from it.
....."And God said unto Abraham" (vs1)
Before God ever demanded Isaac, he first called Abraham. A call only makes you a candidate for a process. No sacrifice qualifies you for a call. One must be called first. Heaven processes a man that bears a call. Every call carries a comensurate grace to carry you through the process. Pls note that one not called can never find the grace to pay the price (Lk9:57-58, 1cor9:7). Our consecrations are not sourced carnally hence requires a release of grace to comply with it's demands. But one called will always find the grace to sail through. So point 1, your call is the pedestal for Divine supply of grace.
.....And he said behold, here I am" (vs1).
The readiness of Abraham to answer and respond to the call of God qualifies him for God's process. Your sacrifice is not accepted if you are not willing to give it. God is not a slave master. He can only compel you to the limits of your willingness. It is what you offer he works with even though his intention is to demand your all. He will keep finding your the cracks,the willingness in responding to his promptings untill he conquers every fiber of your being. So point 2, God is not interested in your sacrifice but rather in your spirit of obedience. Whatever you offer that does not stem from a unreserved desire to obey will not be accepted. Infact heaven deems such an abomination.
......"Take now thy Son, Isaac" (vs2)
God recognizes that Isaac was Abraham's son and specifically required the same. Any price God requires from you in fulfilment of a Divine assignment might seem hard, but it's what you posses. He will not require from you what you don't posses. Even though that which you posses might not be free and easy to part with. Moses was a prince of Egypt and God asked for Egypt. So if it's not your Isaac, heaven won't ask for it. Abraham had Ishmael but it was Isaac God wanted. why? Because his blessing was tied to Isaac. For he said "in Isaac shall thy seed be called" Gen21:12. His seed wasn't in Ishmael. So point3, any offering that God requires is what you have and he is specific in his demand because it posseses the capacity of your fulfilment.
......."Thine only Son Isaac" (vs2)
God is very systematic in the way he chooses his things. The emphasis on what he requested above was Abraham's "only" son. The word only means;
-single
-nothing more
-best amongst considerations
This implies that God always has what he looks out for in every request he makes. He demands our best. You can offer anything to him, but He does not take anyone. He takes THE ONLY ONE! This was exactly the case of Jesus. He was the lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world (Rev13:8). No matter how careful you try to sort him, the one he has chosen cannot hide. In a world where there are so many options, only the best is what fits the king. He will go as far as separating all Ishmaels so that no consolation will suffice the loss of Isaac (Songs 6:8-9). God will meticulously narrow down his options to your Isaac and then takes it.(1kgs17:10-13, Judges11:34). So point 4. The king wants your all. When you offer your Isaac, it's only then you pedestal him alone as your idol and source. Only him becomes your treasure. Nothing can suffice to a jealous God as our king. Yours might not be a son, but of necessity must be an Isaac. This is the price for any calling that will have any eternal reference and bearing in Kingdom matters.
His grace is sufficient for us.
Shalom!
