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.”

Experiencing Hardships

Well, what can I say? The unchanging truth is that Christians will experience hardships. Though a substantial part of ministry today emphasizes deliverance from troubles, you cannot experience deliverance except a situation that warrants it arises. After receiving the promise of descendants, God tells Abraham of the hardships that would come upon them.

And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. Gen 15:13-14 (KJV

God said that it was going to happen and nothing would change it (signified by “of a surety”). Christians have to understand that trials, tests, hardships will come. The Christian life if full of problematic situations (as some may very well know); however, the promise of trials comes with the promise of God’s deliverance.

Abraham’s descendants were destined to go into bondage, but they were also destined to come out by God’s power. On today, though trials and tests are there, understand that they come with an expiration date. You can rejoice that though you may sow in tears presently, you will reap in joy by the power of God.

Prayer of the Week:

 “I thank you for the truth that my problems come with an expiration date. I thank you that I will see your goodness in the land of the living. Amen.”

Hope in God

Growing up, I remember times when my mother would tell me she was going to do something. Once the promise came, I held on to it. I knew that if she said it, I could trust it because she came through on other promises.

Though we may not always get what we want or things may not always go, as we would like for them, we can trust in God’s faithfulness and promises. Abraham receives a staggering promise that he would have a son. His response was not doubt, but faith.

And   he   brought  him  forth   abroad,  and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them:  and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. Gen 15:5-6 (KJV)

Abraham believed in the Lord.  The challenge upon Christians is to believe in the Lord through walking by faith daily. On today, what problems face you? What things are you waiting on from the Lord? No matter what they are, continue to believe in God. Renew your faith knowing that whatever God has promised, He is able to perform.

Prayer of the Week:

“I trust you on this day Lord. I am grateful that I can trust you and have complete faith in you. Thank you for all things. Amen.”