Take the Ram but don’t kill Isaac

Do you often want what you want when you want it and how you want it?

Being a planner and having a sense of control is not necessarily bad but it can influence whether you take the ram or kill Isaac. The mindset of wanting what you want, when you want it and how you want it can affect your life, marriage, and relationships negatively.

Let me explain. God promised that Abraham would be the Father of nations and he would bless him through his son Isaac. Then one day, God told Abraham to go to Mount Moriah and sacrifice Isaac, the child of promise (Genesis 22). Abraham set out to obey God. He took Isaac, two servants, some wood, and fire and headed to the mountain. At the base, he left the two servants behind and he and Isaac went up the mountain. While on the way Isaac asked his dad, I see the wood and fire but where is the ram? Abraham answered, God will provide.

When they got up the mountain, Abraham arranged the wood, bound Isaac and laid him on the altar ready to sacrifice him. Suddenly, the angel of God called out to Abraham, Don’t lay a hand on the boy. Abraham looked up and there was a ram in the bush. Abraham took the ram and sacrificed it in place of Isaac.

God always provides a ram. He is Jehovah Jireh, the provider.

In case you are wondering, what this has to do with your life, marriage, and relationships, let me explain. You see many times in life we have ideas of what we want and how we want it but it may not always work out leading to disappointment and frustration. We love feeling in control but in reality, our interactions with others can sometimes leave us frustrated.

Where is the principle of “taking the ram” at work in your life?

Relationships/Marriage: Do you fuss at your spouse for not meeting your expectations and is this a constant source of strife in your relationship? Rather than focus on the weaknesses and nag all the time, I have learned to look up and see the ram that God is providing.

For example, one day, my spouse and I had a disagreement. I was frustrated but waited to discuss the issue later. I told the Lord in prayer how I felt. In the evening, I went to the bookstore and while browsing in the aisle, a woman walked up to me and said, I have to give my sister a hug. There was no one else in the aisle. She hugged me and then she was gone (Read more about it here). I took the ram, accepted God’s love through this stranger and let go of my frustration. Because I took the ram, I was able to give my spouse grace.

Difficult situations: Are you are dealing with loneliness, a health situation, a financial crisis or having trouble with your teenage children?
Look up, God always provides a ram!

• Perhaps you are lonely and suddenly, a friend calls and informs you that you have been on her mind. She offers to hang out with you. That is a ram.

• If you are suffering from a disease like cancer, but you found out that you qualify for a new clinical trial that will use immunotherapy to boost your immune system to attack the cancer. That is a ram.

• Maybe you are in a financial crisis and don’t even know how you are going to pay your rent or take care of your kids. Suddenly, you receive a check in the mail for some settlement that you were not even aware of. That is a ram.

• Lately, you observe your teenage son or daughter making wrong choices and hanging with the wrong group. However, a teacher, a god mom or counselor decides to mentor your child. After a while, you notice there is less tension and your teenager is opening up to you. That is a ram.

Relationship with God: What is your relationship with God like? Do you know that he provided another kind of ram for you long ago? It is a spiritual ram. As a child, I accepted this ram when I invited Jesus into my heart to be my Lord and Savior. God provided the ultimate Ram in his son Jesus to die in your place and mine as a sacrifice for our sins.

The secret of accepting the Ram is letting go of what I want and how I want it and receiving God’s best for me in every situation. This has radically changed my life and led me to experience a deeper fellowship with God and know him as Jehovah Jireh, my provider.

Don’t kill Isaac by insisting on your way. Allow God to meet your needs, recognized how he is meeting your needs and thank him for it.

Are you open to the ways God is working all around you? In the comments below, share how the principle of “taking the ram” is at work in your life.

Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to the ways you are meeting my needs. Help me to surrender my need to be in control in exchange for your peace and provision. Thank you for your provision. Amen.

Extra Treasures: Genesis 22: 13-14, Psalm 145:16, Luke 12:22-31