Genesis Chapter 16

As I read this chapter something keeps jumping out at me. It is the story of Abram, Sarai and Hagar. Sarai and Abram could not have children of their own so after trying for a long time Sarai decided to fix the problem her own way and in her own timing. She told Abram to have sex with her maid Hagar in order to have a baby with her. Once the baby was born Hagar treated Sarai with scorn and contempt and looked down her nose at her because she could not have her own baby, so Sarai resented the baby and her maid. It was Sarai’s idea and plan, but it didn’t turn out like she thought it was going to which led to regret, bitterness, and anger.

Abram had a promise of children from God, but instead of waiting on His timing he and Sarai decided to take matters into their own hands. Maybe they got tired of waiting, or they thought God needed their help, or they started to doubt how God was going to make His plan happen. Whatever drove their decisions they stepped out of the plans of God and did their own thing.

I wonder how ofter do we do the exact same thing? We pray for something and when it doesn’t happen in our timeframe we start trying to force it and make it happen in our timing, in our way, and with our plan. Oftentimes when we do that we end up with something we do not even like or want. It looks at us in scorn and we look at it with resentment because it was not God’s plan for our lives. It can also have lifelong consequences that do not just easily go away.

I have also been reading in the Bible about the life of David. God chose and anointed him as king, but it was many years later before he actually became the king over the children of Israel. Between being chosen by God as king and becoming king he faced many difficult situations. Saul, who was the kind that David was going to replace, turned on him and tried to kill him multiple times. Saul threatened Davids life so severely that David ran to a cave to hide. I can just picture him hiding in the cave and wondering when God’s plan was going to unfold, how it was going to unfold, and I wonder if he had moments of doubt. I wonder if I would have had moments of doubt. Picture knowing that God has called you to be a king, and yet because of circumstances outside of your control you are hiding in a cave in fear for your life. It takes faith to sit in that cave and not give up and get stuck in doubt, fear, anger, abandonment, and bitterness.

What we do in the season of being in the cave waiting on God’s plan to unfold will either make our break our faith, relationship with God, and either build or break our character. What we do in those seasons matter so much because we can use them to build our faith and relationship with God to a place that will make them unbreakable.

During the season of waiting we must stand on the truth found in God’s Word. His plans are perfect and if we could just get to the place where we could put our full trust in Him and His timing we would walk in peace and joy all the time—no matter what we are facing.

I want to encourage you to continue waiting on Him. Whatever miracle you are believing Him for, trust His timing and His perfect plan. Don’t get in a hurry. Instead use the waiting as a time to get closer to Him. Guard against anger, frustration, and resentment and instead approach His throne with thanksgiving and praise. Take time to sit at the feet of Jesus and really get to know Him on a deep, personal level. Build up your faith by reading His Word and getting in His presence. Shut out the voice of the enemy, your flesh, the world, and doubters. Remember His promises and reflect on His goodness.

Blessings,

Nichole Henson

Fullness of Joy Ministry

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