“God wanted to know He had Abraham’s heart. That got my attention.“ ~Audra Blake, filmmaker at Life.Church

Isn’t it funny how our thinking brings God down to our level. I know what Audra means and where she’s coming from, having experience of that place and of that same thinking; and I know God used this thought in her life. But as I read her words today, truth hits me and lifts me higher.

God knows that “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick”. It’s the person of that heart who doesn’t understand it. (Jeremiah 17:9 NASB)

God is not man, having to test us to see where our hearts are. He knows our hearts like we never will. God tests us to PROVE our hearts, not for His sake, but for ours! He wants us to realize where our hearts are so we can: one – align our hearts with His, and two – come up higher in our trust of God.

Abraham had grown a lot through his experience of God. We see that in the fact that, as he charged his young men servants to wait for them, he told them, “I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship AND RETURN TO YOU.” (Genesis 22:5 NASB). And again, as he walked with his son to the place of sacrifice, he is credited with the words, “God will provide a sacrifice for Himself” (Genesis 22:8). Testimony in the faith hall of fame says of Abraham that “He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.” (Hebrews 11:17-19 NASB)

Abraham had great faith when he headed up that hill with his son. But how much greater trust do you think he possessed on the way down, still having his son at his side because of faith rewarded and declaration fulfilled?

God didn’t need to know Abraham any better than he already did, but Abraham needed to know God better and increase his heart toward God’s own heart. Like Job, it took trial to help Abraham grow strong of heart in his trust of God.

What trial are you in today? Could it be that God wants you to know the truth of your own heart and to give you opportunity to come up higher with Him?

Audra continues, “As I dealt with this story, it was like God whispered to my heart, “Lay your dreams, your future on the altar. They’re nothing compared to eternity with Me.””