Sacrficing the "Isaacs"

Genesis 22: 1-18, records the story of Abraham, asked by God to sacrifice Isaac. The Bible indicates that Abraham woke up early the next morning and set off to carry through the command of the Lord. I wander the turmoil that was going through his mind as he climbed the mountain to sacrifice the promised son he had waited for, for so long. This story further reinforces Abraham as the father of faith. In verse 15, the Lord blessed him because he had not "withheld" his son from Him, though He had intervened and Isaac was not harmed. However, I believe the Lord blessed him because He saw that Abraham had sacrificed Isaac in his heart. Isaac was not the priority in Abraham's heart but the Lord was. The Lord tested Abraham to ascertain his loyalty, and he passed.

Having journeyed with the Lord for such a time, is He still the priority in our lives? Have we allowed what we have desired and wanted to take center stage in our hearts? Today, He is calling us to sacrifice these "Isaacs" to Him on the altar of our hearts. He wants to be the first in our lives, He seeks our total loyalty.