Week of April 18, 2016
Session 7: Redeemed from Poor Choices
The Point:
God’s plans are always better than our own. The Passages: Genesis 15: 1 - 6; 16: 1 - 5; 17:18 - 19 |
Genesis 15:1-6 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/gen.15.1-6.nkjv Genesis 16:1-5 NKJV http://bible.com/114/gen.16.1-5.nkjv Genesis 17:18-19 NKJV http://bible.com/114/gen.17.18-19.nkjv |
Summary:
Genesis 15: 1 says it all, “... I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” (v 1) That is the most wonderful news anybody can have. However, even when we know that we should trust God completely, we often make decisions on our own - out of sync with God’s instructions and his promises.
These three passages demonstrate God’s promises to Abram and Sarai, their decision to take matters into their own hands and its failure, then the results of God’s fulfillment of His promises in his own time.
"...Look now toward the heaven, and count the stars .... So shall your descendants be." (v 5) “,,,. Abram was handpicked by God .....” (p. 84) What an honor! What a promise! What a humbling thought - to be so chosen. Except, Abram and Sarai were already old and had no children. When Abram pointed this out, God said, “..but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.” (v 4) “And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” (v 6) Can you imagine the joy of this promise - to be finally granted a child and that child would be the beginning of many nations; thus saith the Lord. And Abram believed in the Lord.
Even though God promised Abram and Abram believed, he didn’t know how all of this would happen. He was already 75 years old. (p. 85) And as time went on and Sarai had not conceived, we can only imagine that the couple began to get a little anxious. Of course, they wanted a child; but can you imagine that they also wanted the fulfillment of the promise. In Chapter 16, Sarai takes matters into her own hands. She gives her maid, Hagar, to Abram for his wife and they conceived a child. But Sarai underestimated her sorrow and her jealousy, and this effort to move God’s plan along goes terribly wrong.
We are truly humbled and pleased when we become aware of God’s plan for our lives. Usually, we get moving - anxious to move the plan forward. But God’s plan is also in God’s time. When we place our faith in God, we must also honor his time. It doesn’t mean that the promise won’t be fulfilled, nor does it mean that there is no work on our part. It absolutely means, however, that we must continue to live in God’s grace, to study, pray, and listen for His guidance and direction as His plan unfolds in our lives. Sometimes it is hard. Waiting is hard; but it tests, and most importantly, strengthens our faith. When we declare that we believe, we must also declare to live in God’s time, being reminded of what God says initially - that he is our great reward. Yes, Lord.
Chapter 17:1 says, “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram….” The Father still wanted to fulfill his promise. "As for Me, behold My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. (17:4) Even though the couple had ventured out on their own, God chose to still honor his promise. In God’s time, he fulfilled his promise and things were well. By the time we arrive at our printed text, verses 18 - 19, God has already changed their names from Abram and Sarai to Abraham and Sarah. The change of names coincided with the reminder of the promise and the sealing of the everlasting covenant with Abraham. The scripture text (18) begins with Abraham offering Ishmael (Hagar’s son); but God says, “... Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; ….” (v 19)
We must thank God for his grace. Even when we step in the way and mess things up, when God makes us a promise He delivers. “God’s ways are seldom predictable, but they are always reliable. Trust Him. And wait.” Hallelujah and Amen.
Prayer:
Thank you, Father, that you are the God of second chances. Increase my faith, Lord, and teach me patience. Teach me to wait on you. In Jesus’ name; Amen.
Genesis 15: 1 says it all, “... I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” (v 1) That is the most wonderful news anybody can have. However, even when we know that we should trust God completely, we often make decisions on our own - out of sync with God’s instructions and his promises.
These three passages demonstrate God’s promises to Abram and Sarai, their decision to take matters into their own hands and its failure, then the results of God’s fulfillment of His promises in his own time.
"...Look now toward the heaven, and count the stars .... So shall your descendants be." (v 5) “,,,. Abram was handpicked by God .....” (p. 84) What an honor! What a promise! What a humbling thought - to be so chosen. Except, Abram and Sarai were already old and had no children. When Abram pointed this out, God said, “..but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.” (v 4) “And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” (v 6) Can you imagine the joy of this promise - to be finally granted a child and that child would be the beginning of many nations; thus saith the Lord. And Abram believed in the Lord.
Even though God promised Abram and Abram believed, he didn’t know how all of this would happen. He was already 75 years old. (p. 85) And as time went on and Sarai had not conceived, we can only imagine that the couple began to get a little anxious. Of course, they wanted a child; but can you imagine that they also wanted the fulfillment of the promise. In Chapter 16, Sarai takes matters into her own hands. She gives her maid, Hagar, to Abram for his wife and they conceived a child. But Sarai underestimated her sorrow and her jealousy, and this effort to move God’s plan along goes terribly wrong.
We are truly humbled and pleased when we become aware of God’s plan for our lives. Usually, we get moving - anxious to move the plan forward. But God’s plan is also in God’s time. When we place our faith in God, we must also honor his time. It doesn’t mean that the promise won’t be fulfilled, nor does it mean that there is no work on our part. It absolutely means, however, that we must continue to live in God’s grace, to study, pray, and listen for His guidance and direction as His plan unfolds in our lives. Sometimes it is hard. Waiting is hard; but it tests, and most importantly, strengthens our faith. When we declare that we believe, we must also declare to live in God’s time, being reminded of what God says initially - that he is our great reward. Yes, Lord.
Chapter 17:1 says, “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram….” The Father still wanted to fulfill his promise. "As for Me, behold My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. (17:4) Even though the couple had ventured out on their own, God chose to still honor his promise. In God’s time, he fulfilled his promise and things were well. By the time we arrive at our printed text, verses 18 - 19, God has already changed their names from Abram and Sarai to Abraham and Sarah. The change of names coincided with the reminder of the promise and the sealing of the everlasting covenant with Abraham. The scripture text (18) begins with Abraham offering Ishmael (Hagar’s son); but God says, “... Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; ….” (v 19)
We must thank God for his grace. Even when we step in the way and mess things up, when God makes us a promise He delivers. “God’s ways are seldom predictable, but they are always reliable. Trust Him. And wait.” Hallelujah and Amen.
Prayer:
Thank you, Father, that you are the God of second chances. Increase my faith, Lord, and teach me patience. Teach me to wait on you. In Jesus’ name; Amen.
Resource:
Bible Studies for Life - Spring 2016 (Vol. 3, No.3)
KJV Adults Personal Study Guide
(c) 2015, Lifeway Christian Resources
Bible Studies for Life - Spring 2016 (Vol. 3, No.3)
KJV Adults Personal Study Guide
(c) 2015, Lifeway Christian Resources