Skip to main content
Monument Valley, Arizona. Photo by Charles F. Stanley.
Daily Devotion

Abraham’s Greatest Test

Obedience to God often collides with reason.

February 2, 2026

Genesis 22:1-24

Abraham faced one of the greatest tests of obedience recorded in Scripture: God asked him to sacrifice his son. It’s hard to imagine the confusion and pain this must have caused. However, Abraham set out to comply. His response teaches us some important lessons about trusting our heavenly Father:

Obedience often collides with reason. After telling Abraham he’d have descendants too numerous to count, God asked him to sacrifice Isaac, the boy who was to be the father of the promised line. Though the instruction seemed illogical, Abraham trusted God to keep His word (Heb. 11:17-19).

Obedience means leaving the consequences to God. Abraham’s words and actions indicate he believed in divine sovereignty. On taking Isaac to Mount Moriah, he told his servants, “I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you” (Gen. 22:5). He didn’t say, “I will return” but expressed the sure hope that both would come back. He fully expected that the Lord would somehow restore the boy in order to keep His pledge (Gen. 22:13-14).

Have you faced any tests of obedience in your life? Pray for help to trust God, no matter what the outcome may be.

Bible in One Year: Leviticus 11-13

Explore Other Devotions


See All Daily Devotions