Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: FAITHFULNESS (10/07/21)
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TITLE: God Always Keeps His Word | Previous Challenge Entry
By Janice Aylor
10/13/21 -
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Things had started that day in the normal way. We had put all of the sheep out to pasture and then settled down for a leisurely breakfast. I helped my mother do the dishes after breakfast, putting everything away in the proper place.
My father asked, “What are you going to do today?”
I replied, “I want to watch the sheep for a while. A wolf was hangin’ ‘round the sheep just before dark last night. I think I ought to check on the critters.”
“Yes, that sounds like a good idea. After all, the sheep need lookin’ after once they’re out in the pasture.” My father motioned for me to go and see the sheep. So I went…
I found the sheep right where I expected them to be. The wolf was nowhere to be found. Relieved, I sat down for a little rest. I decided to stay there and wait to see if the wolf returned.
I was daydreaming when my father appeared and motioned that I should come at once. I wondered if something was wrong, but it did not appear to be. I went over where my father was.
He announced, “You and I and some of my field hands are going to take a trip tomorrow. We will be leavin’ early, before 4 a.m. We are makin’ a special sacrifice to the Lord.”
“Ok. I’ll be awake and ready to go.” My father looked a little troubled and I asked, “Is somethin’ the matter?”
My father said, “No, but we must be very quiet in the mornin’. I don’t want to wake your mother. It will be early, and she needs her rest.”
“’K, I will be extra quiet,” I said. I wondered why we were leaving so early.
The next morning, we were on the road by around 3:50 a.m. My father had all the stuff he needed for the sacrifice, including the knife and sticks to start the fire. We had gone a long way with the field hands when my father told them, “All of you stay here and watch our stuff. We won’t need most of these things until later. My son and I are goin’ to a special place a little way from here. We are goin’ to sacrifice to the Lord Almighty and then my son and I will come back to you.”
The field hands answered, “Yes, sir. We’ll see ya later!”
My father and I traveled on. He stopped near a mountain and said, “We’re going to sacrifice here.”
I asked, “Where is the lamb for the sacrifice?”
My father said, “God will provide the lamb for us.”
I helped my father build the altar and we placed all of the wood on top of the altar. I stepped back to admire our altar building prowess.
My father stepped forward and started to guide me toward the altar. I wondered what my father was planning.
My father said, “The Lord told me to sacrifice you to Him as a burnt offering. He promised to restore you back to me after I do as He commands.”
I stood frozen to the spot. I could not understand why God would ask this. It was inconceivable to me.
My father placed me on top of the wood and bound me. I was crying and so was my father, but he did not falter. He took the knife and I saw no more as he covered my eyes.
Suddenly, I heard a voice, “Abraham, Abraham!”
My father replied, “Yes, Lord?”
The Lord replied, “Do not do anything to the lad, for I know you fear me, as you have not withheld your only son from me.”
My father removed his hand from my eyes and helped me down from the altar of wood.
We saw a ram in a thicket and sacrificed him to the Lord.
I will never forget the lesson I learned that day.
God is true to His word. He will not promise to do something and then not do it.
Indeed, He is faithful to do what He says He will do.
Great is His faithfulness!
*Loosely based on Genesis 22
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The opening drew me and painted a vivid picture of what it must have been like.
A splendid narrative! Well-done!
Keep writing. God will, surely, bless you.