Guided by God

By Corporal Nathan Chan of the 10th Kuala Lumpur Company

Published December 5th, 2014

Each day of our lives are full of choices, both big and small. Choosing what to eat, what to wear. Deciding what to do, when to do it. With so many alternatives available for use to select from, it is often hard to pick the best option. A single choice can be hard to make, especially when it requires a lot, let alone the hundreds of choices we are forced to make every single day.

Years ago, before Jesus was born, before Israel was formed, Abraham faced a tough choice. First He was asked to leave his hometown and go to a place he had never been. Then a God promised him a nation, though he didn't have a son. When he was around 100 years old, he was finally given a son.

When Abraham's son, Isaac, was around 20 years old, God have him a hard choice to make. Abraham had obeyed God many times before this, yet no choice could have been harder to make, or more severe.

Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” (Genesis 22:2 NIV)

In those days, Abraham would worship God by setting up an altar, laying wood on top, and placing an animal, normally an unblemished lamb, on top. To have God ask him to place his own son on that altar was completely unheard of. Not only did Abraham love his son dearly, God had also promised that Abraham would be made a nation through his son. It was a request that would have had catastrophic results.

Yet Abraham obeyed God. The next morning, Abraham got up, and headed off with two servants and Isaac. When he reached the mountain in Moriah, he prepared to sacrifice Isaac, only for God to interrupt him and provide him with a ram to sacrifice.

When God told Abraham to leave his home, He had a plan. Abraham couldn't see it, but he trusted God to lead him anyway. When god told Abraham to sacrifice his promised son, He saw the whole picture. Abraham didn't. The same can be applied to us.

In Psalms, God's word is declared “a lamp upon your feet”. Not a lamp held at eye level. God sometimes only tells us the next step, leaving the rest of the road dark. To be able to move, we have to trust in God, have faith in His word, and take a step. And another. And another.

It is similar to drill. We are not always told the complete list of commands at one go. Instead, we are given the commands one by one. The only thing we do is follow those commands, and have faith that the commander has a greater plan mapped out.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

When we follow God, He promises to do to us what He did to Abraham - prosper us. All He needs us to do is to have faith in Him.

Page Created: 5th December 2014
Last Updated: 5th December 2014