What does it mean to be obedient and respond to God with “Here I am” when He calls? Obedience often poses challenges for many Christians due to our sinful nature. Prior to the Lord saving me, I resisted involvement with the church, fearing that accepting Jesus Christ would require giving up all the things I enjoyed. However, those who have wholeheartedly embraced Jesus know that instead of sacrificing anything, they gain so much more. God’s call for us is to be obedient and love Him with all our hearts, soul, and mind.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (ESV Matthew 22:37).
To be obedient, as God calls us, is to commence on a fascinating expedition of the soul. In this quest, we surrender ourselves to His guidance wholeheartedly and entirely, just as Abraham did in Genesis. We can observe Abraham’s unwavering trust in God through his response during the test. When God called out his name, Abraham immediately replied, “Here I am.”
“After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am” (ESV Genesis 22:1).
“Here I am” was a simple response. Still, it indicated that Abraham was present and, more importantly, that he was available, ready, and willing to undertake whatever task God might assign to him, demonstrating his obedience to God. Will you respond to God with a firm “Here I am,” offering your unwavering obedience and embracing any task He requests of you? Are you willing to sacrifice the things you love or desire in this world for God?
Why did God test Abraham? He asked Abraham to take his only son and sacrifice him on the same mountain where Jesus himself was later sacrificed. This event seems to foretell the future sacrifice of God’s only begotten Son and holds deeper significance. Abraham was aware of God’s promise to maintain the covenant with him and his descendants, as mentioned in Genesis 17:9. He had faith that God would not break His word and believed that a solution would be provided for him and Isaac.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (ESV Proverbs 3:5–6).
In the past, my heart trembled at the thought of parting with the things I cherished. I believed that becoming a sincere follower of Christ would demand sacrifice beyond measure. But what a splendid twist awaited me! For those who have truly immersed themselves in the love of Jesus, they know that it’s not about giving up but rather about gaining unimaginable treasures. I realized the things of this world do not hold as much value as I thought they did. Now I store my treasures in heaven.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (ESV Matthew 6:19–21).
God doesn’t impose a harsh toll on us, compelling us to abandon what brings joy to our hearts. Instead, He invites us to experience a magnificence that surpasses the fleeting pleasures of this world. His calling is one of devotion, of pouring our affections into Him with a fullness that knows no bounds. Heart, soul, and mind entwined in a harmony of adoration.
So, let us cast away the fear of obedience, like casting off a jacket, and embrace what God has for us. Let us journey through the waters of devotion, finding in the process what we gain is more than we could ever relinquish. May our hearts find peace, for in obedience, we unlock the ability to trust God as Abraham did and say to God when he calls, “Here I am!”
Gracious and loving God,
We humbly come before you, seeking to understand and embrace the call to obedience in our lives. Help us surrender ourselves entirely to Your guidance, as Abraham responded with, “Here I am,” ready for whatever task You have for us. Grant us the faith to trust in Your promises, knowing that You are always faithful, and help us lay up treasures in heaven rather than clinging to worldly possessions.
Take away our fear of obedience, replacing it with a deep sense of peace, knowing that in following You, we find true joy and fulfillment. May our hearts overflow with love and adoration for You as we journey through devotion, trusting You completely. Guide us on this expedition of the soul so that we may live according to Your will and bring glory to Your name.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.