What is Most Real?

It could be an odd question, but it’s a good one to consider: What are the things or beliefs that are most real to you? You should take some time and contemplate your answer. Let your mind wander; think of the implications.

Abraham and his son, Isaac walked together to the mountain top where Isaac was to be killed in sacrifice to God. Certainly, nothing about this procession could have felt right to Abraham, not the least that the God he had come to trust so completely over the last 40 plus years was asking something so out-of-character. When had God ever asked for a human sacrifice? When had God ever sought to destroy his promises?

The only conversation between father and son are about the supplies for the sacrifice. It seems to me that most of the journey was spent in silent contemplation. I imagine Abraham reaffirming, over and over, the conclusion he must have arrived at the night before: the God who is powerful enough to give him his son, Isaac, at such a late age is surely powerful enough to raise the dead, if he wishes. And he must wish to raise Isaac from the dead, since he is pivotal to God’s promise to bless all nations and to create a nation for himself. And God has not failed to keep every promise he has made.

On the other hand, Satan certainly used the opportunity to carry on another conversation in Abraham’s thoughts. Satan would have questioned God’s motives for giving Isaac to Abraham. He would have worked to undermine Abraham’s conviction that God loves; that God has a plan for his life and for Isaac’s; that God may be able to raise the dead. Satan would have done his best to create doubt about every facet of Abraham’s faith and hope.

Some people envision Abraham walking heroically up the mountain, on his way to a pre-determined victory. Others see him stoic, emotionless as he puts one foot in front of another, blindly obedient to the Almighty. I can only imagine that Abraham had the same intense battle as Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane – that the intensity of the battle for what is real waged in his face and throughout his body. The weakness and the strength worked through his bones and his mind.

Whether Abraham contemplated his faith on this journey, or whether it was a predetermined fact in his mind and heart, Abraham lived in the protective reality that our God is God – and loving and gracious in nature. The answer to, “What is most real?” is our faith.

May he be the most real for us in our blessings and our troubles.