I’VE GOT IT!
Second of seven in God’s Best devotion series
Genesis 16:1-6
Vv. 1-3: “Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar; so she said to Abram, ‘The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her.’ Abram agreed to what Sarai said. So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife.”
This God’s Best devotional series is designed to show you why the Middle East is a hotbed of conflict today. Why can’t Israel live in peace? Arab nations surround one Jewish state, Israel (Canaan). God promised Abram in Genesis 12:7: “To your offspring I will give this land.” God’s best is only received when we wait on His timing.
Today, when a couple has trouble having a baby, they can get help from a doctor. While Brad’s Mom and Dad have this option, it’s very expensive. But Sarai didn’t have this choice. (See The Promise devotion).
We live in a fast-paced world, and are used to quick results. Fast food restaurants offer quick meals. Equipped with drive-through lanes—to pay for and pick up food without even having to stop and get out of the car—makes these restaurants very popular. The Internet and search engines, such as Google or Bing, supply answers to every question we think to ask. Who has the time to look things up in books today? Have people stopped waiting on God for His best because waiting takes too long?
So, it’s easy for us to understand that Sarai wasn’t interested in waiting any longer. It had already been ten years, and still no baby. Did God forget? Sarai probably wondered. She must have known that she was past the age to have children (Genesis17:17, 18:11). Desperate, Sarai must have decided to “help.”
Perhaps she surprised Abram. “Guess what honey, I decided to give you Hagar to be your wife, too. She can begin our family. Won’t the Lord be pleased that we came up with a way to fulfill His promise?” (Did she even pray about her decision, or discuss her idea with Hagar?)
“Uh, I don’t know, Sarai” Abram might have replied. “It IS an interesting idea. Let me think about it.” Finally, Abram agreed to Sarai’s plan, and married Hagar. (He could have refused.)
Take Home Nugget
Apparently, “waiting” isn’t natural for humans. After all, patience (PA-shins means enduring without complaint) is one of the fruits of God’s Spirit (Galatians 5:22). When we step out of God’s plan and take matters into our own hands, we NEVER receive God’s best.
Hallelujah to God, Who is able
To promise what’s ALWAYS true!
Give me patience to remain in Your timetable
Lord. Give me assurance when I don’t have a clue.
J.D. Griffith
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