John Bevere - Fear of the Lord Means Instant Obedience
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Why was Abraham called the friend of God? Because when Abraham was old, God came to him one night and said, "Abe?" "Yes, sir?" "Yes, yes, Lord. I want you to take your son, whom you love so much, whom you waited for for 25 years, you know, whom you love more than anything or anyone else in the whole world. I want you to go on a three-day journey and kill him for Me."
Do you know how hard that must have been? God doesn't even give him a reason. He doesn't say, "If you go kill him, then you'll secure the Covenant and I'll send My Son." He just said, "Go kill him," without giving him a reason. Abraham doesn't have Genesis to read, but do you know what my Bible says? Early the next morning! You know how some people say, "Well, you know, the Lord has been dealing with me about this now for several months"? You are bragging about your lack of the fear of God. Okay, are you with me?
Now God gives him a three-day journey. Why? To think it over, in case he wants to turn back. It's easier when you've heard the booming voice of God the night before, but about two and a half days later, when you haven't heard one word from Heaven, you're looking at the mountain where you're going to put the most important thing or person to death in your life just because God said to do it and didn't give you a reason.
Oh my goodness! But Abraham goes to the mountain, builds the altar. Can you imagine what's going through him when he's building this raw altar? He ties Isaac up on the altar, lifts up the knife, and he's ready to put the most important person or thing to death in his life just because God said, and He didn't give him a reason. Suddenly, the angel appears and says, "Abraham, stop! Because now I know you fear God."
How did the angel know that Abraham feared God? Because he obeyed instantly. Because he obeyed when it didn't make sense. Because he obeyed when it hurt. Because he obeyed when he didn't see a benefit. And because he obeyed to completion. Abraham puts down the knife, he unties Isaac, lifts up his eyes, and there is a ram in the thicket. And from his spirit, Abraham exclaims, "Jehovah Jireh, the Lord my provider!" Do you understand what God just did? He just revealed a facet of His personality to Abraham that nobody had ever known before, because Abraham's my friend! Yes!