Place Your Trust on the Altar

Like Abraham, we may be asked to surrender what matters most—and discover God’s love and strength in the process.

Sometimes faith feels simple… until it costs something. There are moments when living the gospel isn’t just about doing good things—it’s about trusting God when you don’t understand why something is happening.

That’s why the story of Abraham and Isaac matters so much. God commanded Abraham to offer Isaac, the very son through whom God had promised to fulfill His covenant. It’s hard to even imagine the confusion and pain Abraham must have felt. The request didn’t make sense. It went against everything he believed about God’s love.

And yet Abraham chose trust.

“And it came to pass… that God did tempt Abraham… Take now thy son… and offer him… for a burnt offering.”
(Genesis 22:1–2)

This story isn’t in scripture so we can compare our trials to Abraham’s and think, “Mine are smaller.” It’s there to prepare us for the reality that every disciple will face moments where faith is tested. Not the “easy faith” of believing when things are going well, but the deeper faith of staying loyal when life hurts.

“God will… take hold of you and wrench your very heart strings… and if you cannot stand it you will not be fit…”
—Joseph Smith (as recalled by John Taylor)

God doesn’t prove us to break us. He proves us to strengthen us—like refining metal in fire. The pressure reveals what we’re becoming, and the Savior’s grace helps us endure it.

“The Lord proves us… to strengthen us… These moments are not evidence that the Lord has abandoned you… they are evidence that He loves you enough to refine and strengthen you.”
—President Henry B. Eyring

Your “altar” might not look like Abraham’s. It might be surrendering control, letting go of resentment, giving up something that’s pulling you away from Christ, or trusting God through a loss you didn’t choose. But the promise is the same: God will not waste your pain. He will shape you through it.

Reflection Question:
What is one thing you’re struggling to trust God with right now?

Small Application:
Write one sentence beginning with: “Lord, I will place ______ on Thy altar.” Then choose one small act of faith today that matches that decision.