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The legendary basketball coach, John Wooden, once said, “The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.” God often tests our character—not to inform Him, but to deepen and confirm our faith. We learn from Genesis Chapter 22 how God tested Abraham’s faith. God said, “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much. Go to the land of Moriah and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” The next morning Abraham was up early, saddled his donkey, took his son Isaac, along with two of his servants, fire,and wood, and set out for the place God told him to go. As he and his son walked along, Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” “We have the fire and the wood, but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on to Mt. Moriah. There, Abraham tied up his son and prepared to slay him. Even though God had promised to bless the world through Abraham’s son Isaac, He tells him to slay his son as a sacrifice. Abraham chose to obey God and leave his future in God’s hand. His actions illustrate the total faith and obedience God wants from all His children.
