Temporary Fix

 

Down south, many of the older homes do not have central air. In these houses, some use electric fans, which swivel back and forth. In this situation, you feel refreshed only shortly before the heat sets in. If one had central air, the refreshing could be permanent and not temporary. Well, Hagar gave Abraham a son, but it was only a temporary fix, for he was not the child of promise.

 

And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael. Gen 16:15 (KJV)

Though Abraham rejoiced over Ishmael, the day would come when he would have to let him go. This shows us that though waiting on God is difficult, do not forfeit His eternal and lasting blessing for a temporary fix.

Do not patch up your life with things that will have to be removed eventually. If they are not removed, they will frustrate what God wants to do. Remember, choose the promise of God over the temporary comfort of the present situation.

 Prayer of the Week:

“Lord, grant me grace to stand with contentment as I wait upon you. You will be faithful unto the end. Amen.”

Faith During the Wait

     Every promise comes with a wait. The length of the wait varies according to the circumstance and situation. However, it is during the wait that frustration and doubt can surface. Abraham had to wait for the fulfillment of the promise. During that time, he and Sarah made some decisions that had everlasting consequences.

And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. Gen 16:3 (KJV)

The descendants of Abraham and Hagar proved to be hazardous to his descendants by Sarah. Nevertheless, the point here is that we have to continue to have faith, even when the wait is long. In doing so, we will not make decisions that may have lasting effects.

Waiting can sometimes be frustrating. Most people do not like to wait in long lines, wait a long time to receive their meals, or be in a place for too long. However, Christians have to learn to embrace the wait as a companion to the promises of God. If one is not willing to wait, one is not willing to receive the promise. On today, embrace the wait. Though it is difficult at times, the acceptance of the wait sets you up for the reception of the promise.

Prayer of the Week:

 Lord, give me grace, peace, and strength to wait until you bless me and deliver me. Amen.”