PROMISES ASSURED
- Key Verse
- "Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised." (Genesis 21:1)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
The Lord's promises always prove to be faithful, even when they seem to have no use, meaning, or chance of happening!
Reflections
At this point in the story, Sarah and Abraham are 90 and 100 years old and the Lord has told them that they will have a child! Haha, seriously?! Imagine someone who is even 70 giving birth! However, Isaiah 40:8 and 1 Peter 1:25 both say that the word of the Lord endures forever. It is permanent; what the Lord decrees will surely happen (Psalm 33:11)!
God is fulfilling a miracle promise; out of this line will eventually come the Messiah! It is easy for us to look at this story and in hindsight see God as being an awesome, beautiful, crazy, cool God who is sovereign and in control of all. However, much like Abraham and Sarah, when we are in a situation like this, it's hard to understand what God is doing. Often it seems that the promises of God fail and we try to take matters into our own hands.
Abraham and Sarah did this. They waited on the Lord for 10 years! 10 YEARS!!! That is a long time to wait, especially when you are 75 and 85 years old, and the promise is you will have a kid! So, they took the promise of God into their own hands and had Ishmael. In case you didn't know, through Ishmael came the Muslims (they believe Abraham is their father and Ishmael was the promised seed of Abraham!). Wow! Big one, right? Nonetheless, God still is patient!
Finally, here in this story, we have the fulfillment of the promise. It is hard to wait on the Lord while in the dark. But when you're in the dark, never forget what God has told you while in the light. Remember that God is a perfect, holy, righteous God: "God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should change his mind" (Numbers 23:19). Remember, the Word of God is true, and even when we can't see what is going on, be amazed at the very first verse in this passage: the Lord did what He said He would do. Always has, always will!
Discussion Questions
1. What promises in Scripture have you begun to doubt because it seems as if even the Lord couldn't fulfill those now?2. Has God promised something to you specifically that you would do well to remember on a frequent basis?
3. Read a chapter in Scripture that you like that is filled with promises (Romans 8 is always a good one) and try to remember one or two of those promises today.
Elanor
January 25, 2012 09:19 AM
This part of the story makes me feel sorry for Hagar, although she and her son seem to have a bit of an arrogance problem. The mother disdained her former mistress and the son scoffs at his half brother. They are cast off (with God's encouragement v12) but told not to be afraid v17. They are promised a great nation v18, but told that that nation will constantly be at enmity with those around it. (Gen 16:12) Is this the cost of selfish pride? God is faithful to his promises but the fruit of our pride is a much harder journey.
Beckye Estill
January 25, 2012 09:25 AM
You're exactly right, Tory; God is faithful to fulfill His Word and His promises! Remember that Abraham was 75 when he received the promise, and it wasn't until he was 100 (!!) and Sarah was 90 (!?!) that God gave them the son He had promised. Surely it seemed that by that time God didn't really mean it, or had forgotten or changed His mind, or meant something symbolic (or a host of other things that Satan brings to our minds when God seems 'slow' to us) to Abraham and Sarah. No wonder they tried to take care of themselves with Hagar earlier. But no, God knows what He's doing and He does it in His own time. God is completely patient -- us, not so much. Twenty-five years Abraham waited! And he received the promise. What's more, believing it when God promised it counted to him as righteousness! Our Father is trustworthy and faithful. May we trust Him more and count on His faithfulness. Thanks for a great devo!
January 25, 2012 11:35 AM
Tory, Good job, man. We just have to remember--God keeps ALL His promises!! May not be how or when we want them but when they meet His purposes. We gotta crucify our old selfish self. Have a great day in the Lord. love you,Tory Tom Johnson