King James Daily Bible Study: Waiting Patiently For God
Date: Thursday January 06, 2010
Chapters: Genesis 16-18
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-january-6
Details of Today's Reading: Abram is encouraged by Sarai to have a child with Hagar, she bares a son, Ishmael, Abram's name is changed to Abraham, the covenant of circumcision, Sarai's name is changed to Sarah, God promises Abraham and Sarah a son, Isaac, and Abraham's plead for Sodom.

Hello My Friend/Guest,
The Bible says, “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass...For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.” - Psalm 37:7,22-24. Let's face it, we all have done some things in life because we were tired of waiting and gotten into some messes, having regretted them afterward. You know, we should not count them as regret, but as lessons learned. So, we messed up, we suffered a bit, but we can not hold on to regret, we have to move forward, rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. He knows our heart, He also knows our flesh, He hates our flesh, but He loves us, He knows we are going to mess up, but He is there to catch us when we fall, every time we fall.

At the age of seventy-five God promised to Abram that He would make him a father of so many that it would be like trying to count the stars in the sky. “And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. 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.”- Genesis 15:3-5.

Now, years had come to pass and Abram still had no son, Sarai was well above the age to have a child so, Sarai came up with a plan that would give Abram a son. “Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. 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. And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.” -Genesis 16:1-4.

Abram knew that God meant what He said, but instead of letting God make the decision as to who would bare his seed, he chose to listen to the influence of Sarai. You know, they say that a man is the head of the house, but even when the world began women have been influencing men to commit sin? Ladies, we have major power, but that does not mean that we are to use that power to influence men in compromising situations. It is very important that women realize that they are to be a help to their men. Now, do not get me wrong, a man can have just as much influence on a woman, I am proof of that, but it was no excuse for me to do what I knew deep down was the wrong thing to do. While we are all responsible for our own actions, God will hold those responsible for making others commit sin accountable for that as well. “Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.” - Proverbs 28:10.

Do you think God gave up on Abram because he went against His will? Of course not. When God has a purpose for us He will use us, even if we mess up sometimes. After they made a mess of things Abram went to God and asked for forgiveness. “And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee...And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.” - Genesis 17:3-5,15,16.

Abraham means, “father of many”, Sarah means “little princess”. One of the great tests of our faith is waiting patiently for God. It may take two days, weeks, years, or as in Abraham's situation, 25 years for our prayers to be answered or for God to fulfill the promises He makes to us. Sometimes the reason God makes us wait so long for what He promises is that we get in the way of His plan. Every time we walk out of His will to help Him along with our own reasoning He takes a step back. Abraham was 99 years old and Sarah was 90. Why do you think God waits until it looks impossible? To show that with man some things are impossible, but with God all things are possible. When Abraham asked God how it was possible for Sarah to bare a child God said, “Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”

When things look impossible to us they are possible to God. God really does not want to see us suffer, He will do anything for anyone as long as are willing to let Him guide us. He knows we are going to fall from time to time, but He is right there with His hand ready to pull us back up. I imagine sometimes we, even strong Christians, wonder if God hears us, but He always hears our praises, prayers, and even our pleas. When God was going to destroy Sodom, Abraham pleaded for God to spare the town if there was anyone there righteous. “And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know...And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?...And he said, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.” - Genesis 18:20,21,23,32.

God will turn His back to those living in sin, who wants to watch a person committing sin, but He keeps an eye out from time to time to see if there is any righteousness in them. He does not give up on anyone and I will tell you what, He will try and try and try to find the righteousness in a person. When the disciples asked Jesus who could be saved Jesus answered, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” - Matthew 19:26b. Noting is impossible with God! Praise God!

Jesus Christ Revealed: Jesus is revealed through the seed of Isaac, in which God would establish covenant. “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.” - Hebrews 11:17-19.

Thanks, and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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