Genesis 16:1-16
Sarai takes matters into her own hands in Genesis 16. Poor judgment on her part, and as we see, it leads to problems all around. Now as I was reading, I found myself kind of looking down my nose at Sarai thinking Oh please, what's up with you? Well, that only lasted a few seconds before I felt convicted. You see if the truth be told, there have been plenty of times when I've taken matters into my owns hands just like Sarai. I want things to happen when I want--according to what's convenient for me, and if I allow myself to dwell on that, I somehow convince myself that God's plan--His timing--is surely in alignment with mine. (Yeah... right.)
So how do we guard against letting our desire for immediate action interfere with us fully submitting and following God's plans and timetable? Tami W.
Patience is surely a virtue isn't it...more importantly it is a spiritual gift. We often think of this gift as a horizontal one, between man and man. However, it is also a vertical gift, the ability for man to be patient with God. Patience with God is not required because He is ever late or has made a mistake, but rather patience is required to wait on His timing and to trust in His work.
One thing that can help us to not go ahead of God is to make sure that by going ahead of Him we are not doing something in opposition to what God has said. That's what Sarai did here. The promised son was promised through Sarai, not a handmaid. How often do we think we are helping God out a little when if we truly looked at it, we are going against a command from His word? I'm very thankful that God is a gracious and forgiving God.
Like you Tami, I was like 'how could Sarai make such a dumb decision' and then I remembered the many times I have done the same thing... try to help God out because it seems He either doesn't remember my situation or maybe He's not srue how to work it out.
It's not easy to guard against letting my desires direct my actions versus waiting on God. It is only through daily discipline of prayer and reading & reflecting on His Word are we able to, by faith, wait upon Him for His timing. Truth is, even the daily disciple has its challenges....
We live in a society that is so focused on immediate gratification. Is is very easy to get caught up in thinking that we need things to happen right away. God's timing is so perfect and cannot be rushed but that does not mean it is easy for us! He is often what we would call an "eleventh hour God" coming through in the nick of time. I believe this is how he builds our trust. So, we need to continue to turn things over to Him when we feel the need to rush and make things happen in our timing.
This can only happen when I am true to what I say. I can't call Jesus, "Lord of my life" and I keep taking Him off the throne. It has to do with killing the flesh daily. This program (Powered by 4) is an aid to increasing the reading of God's Word which is in turn going to change lives because changed minds and changes lives is caused by the washing of the Word. The more I read and apply God's Word correctly, the more I become like Christ. Thank you Jesus for being you.
Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven,Hallowed be Your name. 'Your kingdom come Your will be done,On earth as it is in heaven.'Give us this day our daily bread. 'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.' For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. (Matt.6)Remember God is always in control. God help me trust and obey.