Abraham & Faith tests/trials

Abraham had been told that his offspring would be like the number of stars, and that his offspring would come through his son. And Abram had believed the LORD (Gen. 15). So there is this precious promise. And in chapter 17, God says of Isaac, “I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him” (vs. 19b). So there is this promise. Then in chapter 22, God tests Abraham (vs.1). At least 3 days pass in-between the initial call and the almost sacrifice. What was going through Abraham’s mind during this waiting and preparation time? Was his heart heavy? What a faith this man had! When Isaac asked where the lamb was for the offering, Abraham replied that God would provide a lamb. Did Abraham believe God would actually first provide a lamb, or was he fully expecting to actually sacrifice his son and that he would be revived? Perhaps he didn’t completely know. In Hebrews 11, it says that Abraham “considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back” (vs. 19). Whatever the case, he did not keep his son back (Gen. 22:12). Did Abraham know he was being tested? Do we always know when we are being tested? Perhaps not. However, James 1:2-4 tells us that we should “count it all joy…when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” There’s something powerful and precious about the testing of our faith. See 1 Peter 1:6-8: “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold…-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Should we treat every trial as if it were a test on our faith?