Genesis 16:1-18:15; Matthew 6:1-24; Psalm 7:1-17; Proverbs 2:1-5
Have you ever resisted a miracle that God wanted to perform? Most of us would say, “No!” But, if we were to delve deeper into how we react to the big promises that God gives us, we may have a different response.
Abram and Sarai (later known as Abraham and Sarah) were told by God that they would have their own child– even though they were old. This was a big promise. Abram and Sarai had many encounters with God where He proved that He was awesome and had no limitations. When Lot was taken, Abram and a small band of men rescued him from 5 kings. When they were in a famine, God provided for them. When Lot needed to be delivered from Sodom, God sent a personal, angelic escort. God had a great track record of keeping His Word!
Yet, when God reminds them of His promise to give them a child of their own, they can’t believe it. So, they tried to help God out by creating a substitute. Sarai gives her servant, Hagar, to her husband and she gets pregnant. But, this substitute is not what God promised. Then, God changes their names to reflect their new status. Abram becomes Abraham — which means father of many. Sarai becomes Sarah, which means princess. Even with their name change, they were reluctant to believe God could keep his promise to them.
Later, God sent an angel to give them the specific season when the child would be born. Sarah in disbelief, laughs! We know how their story ends. God keeps His Word and they give birth to their own son.
What miracle have you resisted? Is there a promise you have cherished in your heart that you thought was impossible because it was beyond your abilities? If God made you a promise, He can and will perform it. Dust the promise off. Get it off the back shelf. Let God show you His power as He keeps His promise to you against all the odds. Don’t resist God’s promises this year. Rely upon them because they will surely come to pass!
Tomorrow’s Reading: Genesis 18:16-19:38; Matthew 6:25-7:14; Psalm 8:1-9; Proverbs 2:6-15
I am a creature of flesh and as such, I know that there are constant efforts from the devil who will try to make me believe that I can walk this walk without God. So, once I acknowledge this, I pray for Gods listening ear and make my request to God.
Now, I know that my understanding of time is very different from Gods. So I wait patiently on His time.
I’ve walked through this door so many times and know that God can do all things but fail.
People may have good intentions and so they say what the flesh says to them. They mean well but I know that no one is Greater than my God. His word says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not to your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-8