Genesis 16:16
And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.
Ever try to help God out? How did that work out for you? Now there are times when God does "allow" us to contribute to the cause, but even then, He is enabling and giving us the strength to do it. It's really hard to fault Abraham too much, I mean he was in his eighties, and he wasn't getting any younger! Maybe God could give him a child through Sarah's servant.....that's almost as good, right? Not quite, because God had a miracle in mind, a child of promise, and because of that, God didn't need Abraham to opt for plan "B". That's where many people live, plan "B", and they struggle and fight with their "Ishmael" when they could have had Isaac. Thankfully, God set Abraham straight, and Abraham saw the error of his way, but it didn't stop the fight between Isaac and Ishmael that continues even to this day. Every day that we try to please God with our flesh instead of faith, we raise up "Ishmael", and it only leads to disappointment, but the New Covenant of grace is based on God's promise, and I choose to stick with plan "A"!
Our lives are full of plan B Ishmaels. Things we "thought" were right in our own eyes and then we spend a lifetime tring to make corrections or even worse covering them so that others don't see. The answer of course is "too easy" repent and alow God to turn things around. Thats the grace and mercy that He gives those who are in Christ Jesus.Why do we always think we can fix things...when we blew it in the first place. Swallow your pride today and alow God to shower forgiveness upon our plan B's. He works things for our good and turns things into plan A's again.Diane
ReplyDeleteImpatience. I have struggled with this all of my life. I made so many bad decisions as a result. Now I am a parent and it's pay back time as my mom would say! LOL! Thanks to God I am not where I was. I pray for contentment in Jesus name.
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