Genesis 22:22 Some time later, God tested Abraham's faith. "Abraham!" God called.
"Yes," he replied. "Here I am."

Abraham's life is a lesson for us in relating to God.  The relationship begins (recorded in Genesis 12) when God decides to speak to Abram and tell him to leave his homeland and strike out for a new land that God wants to give him.  Along the way and through the journey Abram walks through a succession of trials, makes personal choices, faces consequences and then hears again and again from God.  The trials come from different directions: famine, family suffering, fights over land, and flights from enemies.  The choices Abram makes reflect a growing reliance on the God who continues to speak to him.  Chapter 22 represents a culmination...a final exam...where God tests Abram.  Abram is asked to choose between his love for his son and his love for God.  The test turns on the question: "Whom do you trust?"  Remarkably, Abram passes with flying colors as he has learned two important characteristics of God: (1) He provides life and (2) It is better to trust God than to trust in yourself.  I believe that we can learn the same lessons as we walk through our trials and make our choices.  God is still speaking to us today.  His words are found in the Bible and the message is as personal and true for us as it was for Abraham.  It is a relationship forged by relating to God across and through the real experiences of daily living.

blessings,
Rob Smith