Read Genesis 22:1-19

Later rabbis discussed this passage at great length for hundreds of years. Their conclusion is echoed in Hebrews 11:17-19, where the writer says, “Abraham reasoned that God would raise the dead.”

That does not, however, mean that Abraham did not falter. Faith is not the absence of doubt. It is the continued belief in the face of doubt. Abraham’s confidence in God was solid enough that he could think outside the box in seeing God honoring his promise to him.

How often do we say, “There’s no way”? Given hope, we fear that we might lose it. We become paralyzed by the fear of losing what we have received.

Even with his hand raised above his son, ready to kill him, Abraham did not let fear paralyze him. God will do what God will do.

Too often, we limit God’s ability by our perspective. We receive hope completely external from ourselves but then we hang on it and suffocate it because we are afraid it will disappear.