Blessing Through Surrender

Blessing Through Surrender

Most people seek to be blessed by receiving, but blessings are first and foremost found in surrender. It is to the extent that we bring a whole sacrifice to his altar that we will receive a whole blessing—not before (Deut. 33:9-10). The secret of Abraham’s blessing was the condition of his heart, which he expressed in the four words that he spoke to the king of Sodom: “I will not take . . .” By giving it up, he received the blessing. What did God say to the man he wanted to bless? “Go out”—“leave!” He left his homeland, and God gave him his own land. He said to Lot, who did not have enough room for his flocks: “Choose!” And Lot chose the land of plenty. He took advantage of Abraham’s selflessness to bring the advantage to his side. But that same night, God came to Abraham and promised him possession of the land in perpetuity. In relinquishment, he opened new doors of blessing for himself. In great self-denial lie greater blessings.

Later God tested Abraham and said: Take . . . Isaac . . . and offer him there as a burnt offering. Abraham did so and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. But did he get back as he had laid him on the altar? Oh, no! He got him back with the most glorious promises. Upon the son who was laid on the altar, God placed the most glorious promises (v. 16-18). God said to the Israelites: No one among you shall eat blood . . . I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls . . . (Leviticus 17). Israel, who gave the blood upon the altar instead of consuming as the other nations did, gave it to God as a propitiation. They attained the blessing through surrender.