NOW I KNOW

Today's reading: Genesis 20-23

"Lay down the knife, the angel said. Do not hurt the boy in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld even your beloved son from me." Genesis 22:12 NLT

The decision to trek off to the land of Moriah.

The saddling of the donkey.

The strapping of the pile of firewood on Isaac's shoulder.

The building of the sacrificial altar.

The tying up of Isaac.

The pulling the knife out of the sheath.

Didn't God see the small steps of obedience Abraham was showing? 

But God chose to wait until the last moment.

The exact point at which He knew there was no turning back for His servant.

The moment in time in which Abraham settled in his heart of hearts that he was all in--or all out.

That's when God knew.

Truly knew.

What's it going to take for Him to know how deep our obedience goes? What final step in follow-through will be required for God to know, without a doubt, that we are all in for Him? What mountain will we have to climb, what altar will we have to build, what special possession will we have to tie up and place before Him--for Him to know we're serious about being His?