1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; 2 so she said to Abram, “The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.”- Genesis 16:1-2 (NIV)
5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the LORD judge between you and me.”- Genesis 16:5 (NIV)
I have read it over and over again. I think that somewhere between verse 2 and verse 5, Sarai had a major change go down with her. Her idea to have her slave girl give both she and her husband a child soon turned their home into a very hostile household. She was quick to say that the Lord was keeping her barren and that they needed Hagar early on, but when she felt wronged, she shifted the blame to her husband.
Be sure to note this: God never said or suggested this method in the first place. Go promised Abraham a son. He wasn’t promised with a caveat that required him to help God out with it. He was promised a son of His own blood. Sarai’s interpretation of her own barren state matches with the lack of patience that many of have with the Lord’s timing. Usually, when we feel that the Lord is taking too long, we need to look inside of ourselves and see why we are so impatient with our “very present help.” Oftentimes, we seek to move God along, and then we find ourselves in need of more help than we need in the beginning because of what we have done.
Do you want things to run smoothly, at least smoother than they have in the past? Keep your trust in God, not you and your latest idea. Do you think that you have an idea that will move things along a lot faster? Take it back to God in prayer. See what His answer is today. If His answer matches with your idea, go for it in His name. If not, work on being a little more patient with the one who is longsuffering and exhibits lovingkindness towards his dear children.
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