Genesis 22:2

John Calvin once said: “The human heart is an idol factory!”  The twisted nature of our sinful hearts is to take good things like family, work, possessions, entertainment, hobbies and turn them into ultimate things. Our hearts make gods out of them and put them on the throne of our lives as the thing we truly live for. When we do this, we mistakenly come to believe that they can give us the sense of significance and security, safety and fulfillment that only Jesus Christ can give us. Imagine you are in Abraham's sandals and God has asked you to put to death the good thing in your life that you have made an idol out of. Can you be honest enough with yourself to identify what that thing in your life is? Usually, we downplay our idols or even live in denial that it is an idol. Ask Jesus to give you the courage and the faith to name your idol and then to put Jesus back on the throne of your life and to put your idol back down into its proper place. This is not an easy process and it takes time and great humility. 

PASSAGE: Genesis 22:2 - "Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”

PAUSE: The Lord often tests us with potential idols we might place before him. Some of us love our family first, others our finances and possessions first, and many of us love our comfort and security, but the Lord wants to be first. Our number one priority as believers is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and strength. The Lord is a jealous God and desires our affection.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I love you and thank you for all the people and possessions you have blessed me with. Help me to keep you as my first love!