Here I Am

Here I Am

[God] said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.

Genesis 22:1

IN WORD God called upon Abraham with a test. It was perhaps the most difficult test any of us could think of. Did the thought of sacrificing his own son horrify Abraham? Did he weep all night before he got up and went to Moriah? The text doesn’t say. All it says is that Abraham obeyed. And that obedience began with a simple statement of readiness: “Here I am.”

The army recruit learns to say “Here I am” when the drill sergeant barks his name. But his availability is born of fear. The consequences are worse than obedience. There is no love in his readiness, no real respect—just fear. He is available, but the relationship means nothing.

The employee learns to say “Here I am” when the boss calls her name. But her availability is born out of duty. It isn’t bad, just superficial. Negative consequences or not, an allegiance to the cause will prompt the right response. She obeys because she should. She is available, but the relationship isn’t warm.

A romantic naturally says “Here I am” because of love. Availability isn’t induced by fear or duty, and negative consequences aren’t an issue. There’s a desire to please. There is an implicit trust in the other’s wishes. There is a respect that goes beyond obligation; it has been both earned and invited.

IN DEED We know that Abraham feared God and that he was obligated to God. But somewhere wrapped up in his reverence and duty was the simple desire to please the Lord who had graciously provided the son. His response was more than that of a slave or a subordinate. It came from the heart; it had to, considering the command. It meant that Abraham had cast his affections on a very trustworthy God.

When God calls, do you say “Here I am”? Probably so. But here’s a deeper question: How do you say it? Let your response flow from a loving, reverential faith in your Provider. Trust Him. His loving command is an invitation to love Him in return.

Love for God and obedience to God are so completely involved in each other that either one of them implies the other too.

—F. F. BRUCE