Hearing His Voice #345

“Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.”

Genesis 22:1

Abraham’s hope in God’s promise took a surprising and excruciating turn one day when God told him to take Isaac, the promised son, to a mountain and sacrifice him. God revealed this plan only after calling Abraham’s name and hearing his response: “Here I am.” It’s a simple expression, used only a few times in Scripture. When used in conversation with God, it’s an obedient response that always seems to have monumental consequences.

Jacob used this phrase twice: once when an angel spoke to him in a dream, which led to his return to the homeland and his name being changed to Israel; and once when Joseph was rediscovered in Egypt, which led to Israel’s four hundred years there. Moses used it at the burning bush, which led to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. Samuel responded to God’s call with that phrase and became the priestly prophet who would anoint Israel’s first two kings. One of those kings, David, wrote a messianic verse that includes that phrase and declares the speaker to be “the one” written about in the scroll. The writer of Hebrews attributes this phrase prophetically to Jesus, the Messiah who saved humanity. And Isaiah spoke it when he encountered God’s glory and heard the Lord ask, “Who will go for us?” In every case, major historical events turned on the response of “Here I am.”

How would your life change if you said “here I am” to God? You can’t know for sure unless you do, but you wouldn’t regret it. It might require laying down a dream or destiny you’ve long held tightly, but the cost pales in comparison to the blessing. God Himself spoke this phrase once—“When you call, the LORD will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply”—about our salvation and healing coming quickly like the dawn (Isaiah 58:8-9). When we make ourselves completely available to God, He makes Himself completely available to us.

Lord, I present myself to You as a living sacrifice, whether history hinges on my commitment or not. I make this offering to You: to be moved and activated by Your voice. Here I am.