So Sarai said to Abram, “The LORD has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal. (Genesis16:2)
BY THE TIME Ishmael arrived, Abram had turned eighty-six. If we skip ahead to read about the birth of Isaac, the true son of Abram’s covenant with God, we’ll see Abram was one hundred years old then. Abram and Sarai tried to rush God, attempting to get the Lord on their timetable, but they didn’t receive their blessing for another fourteen long years. Our running ahead doesn’t pressure God to hurry His agenda. When we try to coerce the Lord into giving us what we want, when we want it, He responds, in effect, “You’re not ready. This blessing isn’t good for you right now. You have so much more to learn . . . so trust Me. And don’t expect Me to explain Myself.”
You might find yourself in Abram’s predicament right now, and you’re praying that great American prayer, “Lord, hurry up!” You want answers now; you want His blessing now. You’re convinced you’ve waited long enough. Waiting is difficult, and you want progress, so your great temptation when the Lord doesn’t appear to be doing anything is to get things going yourself. Your predicament has dragged on for too long, and you’re tired of it.
If that describes you (if it doesn’t now, it will soon!), I have a four-letter word for you: wait.
When we’re forced to wait, the Lord helps us acquire an appetite for the blessing to come. Meanwhile, He builds our maturity so that when the fulfillment finally arrives, we are prepared to enjoy His blessing to the fullest.
REFLECT
Is there something you’re waiting on from God right now? How might He use your circumstances to build your maturity during this season?
Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.
Content taken from FAITH FOR THE JOURNEY , by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2014. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
Used with permission. All rights reserved.
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