JANUARY 25: “DON’T RUSH THE PROMISE”

We live in a world where people want things done instantly. The patience to wait is no longer the order of life. Someone said that “patience is not simply the ability to wait; it is how we behave while we wait. The Bible text for today focuses on the dangers of trying to force God’s promises through human effort, the failure of faithless frustration and the consequences of acting out of impatience and sin. We see in the text that Sarai’s actions stemmed from a lack of trust in God’s timing and promises, resulting in a plan that ultimately failed to serve God’s purpose.

The family of Abraham and Sarai had been waiting for the promised child. It was during this time that Abram listened to the voice of Sarai rather than seeking a word from the Lord. She proposed to Abraham to sleep with her slave girl Hagar. This showed that they took matters into their own hands, and we saw how it led to pain and suffering.

As we step out today, what are the lessons for us? We should know that we should not take shortcuts in any area of our lives; shortcuts are destructive because God’s work is to be accomplished in God’s way. Secondly, taking matters into our own hands leads to pain and suffering. Thirdly, sometimes the pressure to compromise will come from those closest to you. Resist compromise. Remember that impatience can lead to misalignment. Waiting is hard, but rushing can lead to regret.

PRAYER: Our Father, we thank you for always doing whatever you say, help us not to take matters into our own hands. Help us to yield to you, help us to take off our hands and allow you to drive us to the desired plans and purpose you have for our lives in Jesus’ name, Amen.