Son, I ask my sons and daughters to do things that seem extreme and foolish to test their obedience. I want you to listen to my voice and follow my leading in all you do.

You know, son, sometimes I ask my sons and daughters to do things that seem extreme and foolish. I told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. I told my son Joshua to walk around Jericho seven times and blow a trumpet in order for the walls to fall down. I told a man to go wash in a lake to heal his leprosy. I had my son put mud in the eyes of a blind man. I ask my servants to do these things to test their obedience.  Apparent foolishness confronts the intellect, forcing response through faith alone. I long to see the faith of my children far more than see them utilize their skills and abilities. I want you to listen to my voice and follow my leading in all you do. That is how faith is manifested and how I am glorified. Faith is demonstrated through obedience.

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence (1 Corinthians 1:27-29 ).