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.
Genesis 22:1
Dear Church and Friends,
We’ve learned about replacement idolatry in Proverbs, but we find it here in Genesis as well. In Solomon’s teaching it concerns replacing the Lord with something gross like sexual sin, but not always. Anything can become a replacement idol. In chapter 22 we find out that it can be something as wonderful as a father’s love for his son.
The Lord has a right to test his children. Not so that he can conduct research and discover something that he didn’t know. He knows. The test is for us. Do we fear Him or do we fear loosing the thing being tested?
Our affections can become inordinate. When that happens we are willing to loose everything to keep what we love. But the merciful hand of God steps in and gently encourages us to let go. Abraham is the patron saint of letting go.
- He let go of his home in Ur.
- He let go of his father.
- He let go of his wife (twice).
- He let go of the spoil from the slaughter of the Kings.
- He let go of Ishmael.
- He let go of Isaac.
- He let go of his children by Keturah.
All of this he did to be obedient to the calling and promise of God. Let’s not be afraid to let go of those replacement idols that we love so much. Even though they’re lovely they pale in comparison to the bright hope before us.
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Music: Shepherd by CityALight.
Prayer Requests: Please pray for Harold Mitchell, Maumelle, AR.
- Harold Mitchell is a chaplain serving inmates and staff at the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Pray that prison inmates will be protected from the coronavirus pandemic. Our Cummins Unit has had a number of inmates and some officers infected. Volunteers are not allowed in the units now, so pastoral care is minimal.
Publishing Change
The last daily Pastor’s Letter will be published on June 13, 2020.
Beginning the week of June 15, 2020 the Letter will be published twice a week. Be on the lookout for an announcement about a new addition to the Bible Bistro coming to a Wednesday near you.
days
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until
Wednesday Night Bible Study Returns October 7, 2020 @ 7 PM
Question 82: What profit came to the fathers at all times through faith.
Answer: By this way alone they were blessed and happy.
Question 83: In what did the unhappiness of men consist?
Answer: In false knowledge of the true God.
“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.”
All my best.
And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
Genesis 22:11
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