Scrawny to Tennis Fit

In Genesis, chapter 22, verse 1, Abraham is commanded by God to sacrifice Isaac. In the previous chapter God reassures Abraham and tells him to hearken to Sarah his wife and to not be sad for sending away Hagar and his son, Ishmael, for in Isaac shall the promises of God be fulfilled. From this pattern of God’s dealings with Abraham, we can see that God reassures us before the trial. He gives us promised blessings and then he allows us to experience trial so we can know for ourselves that it is only through believing and relying on God an hundred percent that we can be able to weather the storms of life’s trials. In D&C 136:31 it says, “My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom.”

What does this have to do with Abraham’s trial? Abraham’s trial was God’s finale for Abraham’s song of life. In other words, Abraham was required to sacrifice Isaac, his only son with Sarah, because God was testing Abraham to see if he would be willing enough to obey all that God would require of him. For God had promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, he had to see if Abraham would choose to obey God, even though the commandment to sacrifice Isaac was contrary to the reassuring promises given in the previous chapter, so that God’s promise could be fulfilled. All of God’s promised blessings are dependent on our capability to choose, follow, and obey God.

In the precise moment, when Abraham was seconds away from sacrificing his son, an angel appeared just in time to prevent the tragic loss of Isaac. In that moment, Abraham proved faithful, obedient, and sealed upon himself the promised blessing that he, Abraham, would be the father of many nations!

Bookmark: Genesis 22:1

Technology is an amazing tool to help us be more efficient and to help us reach more people across the world. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reside in many different countries across the globe. Technological advances has aided our capacity as a church to reach our members and to deliver the messages of the gospel for members to hear. However, the task of carrying the message to the heart a personal responsibility. As we listen with open hearts and contrite spirits to soak in every part of the messages into our souls we can have an increase in spiritual growth and our testimonies will be strengthened.

Today’s scripture comes from the Doctrine and Covenants, section 88, verse 63 and it reads,

“Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

In this scripture, Christ is inviting us to draw near unto him, to seek him diligently, and to ask humbly. I believe that as we humble ourselves enough to seek him and to do his will, he will indeed open the way for us so that nothing is impossible. He will give us the strength necessary to complete our daily tasks so that we can focus on the more important things such as our families.