This song has come to haunt me this morning: “When I Lay My Isaac Down” by Mike Upright.
At times, God asks back what He has promised us: Our God-given dreams, families and ministries can get in the way of His work in our lives. This verse rattles me: “Most of us I dare to say we have an Isaac that is in God’s way/ But on the altar God will prove, it’s not your Isaac that He wants, it’s you/ When I lay my Isaac down with a broken heart for my Father’s crown/ On the altar there I see, it’s not my Isaac God wants, it’s me.”
I believe the Lord is saying to many of us as this new year begins on God’s calendar, “Lay down your Isaac.”
I believe the shofar of God is blowing into our lives as we lay our Isaacs down on His altar of sacrifice. We need to be released from them so God can finish the work He began in our lives and in the lives of our Isaacs. I will never forget the moment God showed me Abraham, taking his son of promise up the mountain to sacrifice him. Abraham came down that mountain a “dead” man. Dead to his dream, but that’s when God began to bless Isaac.
Let this verse rattle you: “On this mountain you will prove: It’s you and Isaac or it’s Me and you.” {eoa}
Bill Yount has been a member of Bridge of Life Church in Hagerstown, Maryland, for the past 40 years and is in leadership. He faithfully served in prison ministry at Mount Hope Inc. for 23 years and now travels full time, ministering in churches and Aglow circles. He is currently an adviser at large for Aglow International. Bill has authored several prophetic books. His latest book is The Power of Real / Transparent Prophetic Encouragement. His prophetic email list is: billyountweekly.com. Visit Bill’s website at billyount.com.