Here I Am: Abraham

The response “here I am” occurs six times in the Bible from man to God. Five separate times it is men responding to God who is calling their names. The other occurrence is an answer to a question posed by God. Each response is followed by at interaction with the LORD and an invitation to be about kingdom business. And each response leads to seeing the Lord and just how magnificent he is. 

As I’ve studied these six responses to God, a longing in grew in my heart to have a readied and faithful response of “Here I am” whenever I hear the Lord calling. 

Starting with this post is a 6-week series that looks at the “here I am” passages. Each posts will have a summary of the passage(s), highlights, and a prayer. I included prayer with these because I was so stirred by the interactions. I want more than information — I want transformation. These highlights and prayer are only a starting place. I encourage you to respond to the Lord with your insights an prayers. Always.

No. 1 Abraham

Read Genesis 22. Read it with the Holy Spirit. Take notes, he’s a good teacher 🙂

Summary — God called, “Abraham!” He responded, “Here I am.” God went on to ask Abraham to give Isaac, his only son, to him as a sacrifice. The next morning, Abraham left with Isaac and the materials to build an altar. Along the journey, he left his servant behind. “Isaac and I are going yonder to worship, and we will be back.”  Along the way, Isaac called for Abraham, his response was, “Here I am, my son.” He assured the boy that God would provide for the sacrifice. They built an altar. Isaac laid down on the altar. Abraham raised his knife to sacrifice Isaac. God called again, “Abraham, Abraham!” Abraham, still listening, responded, “Here I am.” He looked and saw there was a ram caught in the thicket—the Lord’s provision for the sacrifice. Abraham called that place The Lord provides, and it is where learn the name of God, Jehovah Jireh.

Highlights and Prayers from Genesis 22

• Abraham was a good listener. 

Prayer: Your sheep know your voice, Jesus. I want to continually grow in my hearing and willingness to listen for your voice. Here I am. 

• Abraham didn’t take back his Here I am once he understood the task. He quickly obeyed.

Prayer: Jesus, to obey as you obey, that’s what I want — a complete yield to your leadership in rhythm to your steps. 

• Abraham had faith in God even though the request may seem unbearable to us.

Prayer: I believe, help my unbelief. Holy Spirit, you give good gifts. I need more faith. Keep it coming until my little faith grows from seed to tree. 

• Abraham never stopped listening. Even in the momentum of obeying God, he was still listening and heard God call his name.

Prayer: Jesus, I lean my ear to your chest. That’s where I want to live regardless of my circumstance—to be continually listening, continually leaning, abiding, Jesus. You are the reward, not work, not ministry, nor sacrifice—You.

• Abraham saw God provide for the sacrifice, just as he told Isaac it would happen.

Prayer: Father, you are faithful, and you are provider. You are trustworthy in every area of my life because you are my Creator. Thank you for walking and talking with me and for letting me see how you provide time after time. There is no one like you!

• Abraham passed on a “Here I am” lifestyle, as we will see in his grandson, Jacob.

Prayer: May my life be a demonstration of listening and obeying God, participating in a long line of faithful servants. May I be found rejoicing in his ways and faithfulness so that many generations will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD (Psalm 40).

photo by Martino Grua

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