Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
Genesis 22:1 (NIV)
“Here I am.” Three very small words in English, and only one in the original Hebrew. But they contain a whole universe of meaning.
When God called Abraham’s name that day, Abraham’s instant response was “Here I am.” I can almost see him in my mind’s eye snapping to attention, every sense on high alert for what the Lord wanted him to do; totally receptive to any message that the Lord might have for him.
In this case, the message was challenging: He was to take Isaac, the son of the promise, far away and sacrifice him as a whole burnt offering. But Abraham didn’t argue; his “Here I am” wasn’t just availability to hear, but willingness to obey. Verse 3 shows Abraham rising early in order to obey this very strange command of the God Whom he served.
Three days later, just as Abraham was lifting the knife to kill Isaac as he lay bound and helpless on the altar, God again called out Abraham’s name. And, once again, Abraham’s answer was “Here I am.” This time the command was more reassuring: God was releasing Abraham from the previous command because of his steadfast obedience to it.
Throughout history the great heroes of the faith (whether well-known or not!) have answered God’s call with “Here I am.” Jacob (Genesis 46:2), Moses (Exodus 3:4), Isaiah (Isaiah 6:8), and even Ananias of Damascus (Acts 9:10). All of these responded to God’s call with alertness and with hearts prepared to obey.
I believe that God is still wanting people who wait eagerly for Him to call their name, who look anxiously for Him to direct their actions and who will be instantly obedient, no matter what He commands. It reminds me of Psalm 123:1-2 (NIV):
I lift up my eyes to you,
to you whose throne is in heaven.
As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
till he shows us his mercy.
The eyes of a servant watch his master’s hand and the eyes of a servant girl watch her mistress’ hand so that they can instantly respond to the slightest gesture. That is the same way in which we are to serve the Lord – constantly watching and listening, and ever ready to respond, “Here I am!”