"Sarah Promises"

I'm actually stealing an original quote from my sister, AH.

We are currently attempting to read Henry Blackaby's Experiencing God for our morning studies. The very first chapter was talking about how God doesn't give us a road map, and that He reveals to us His plan, step by step. He gives us enough light for the next step, and expects us to take it. If he revealed everything at the get-go, we would live by sight, and what we had been shown, than by faith, and what was to come in HIS timing.

I think a "Sarah Promise" is two-fold. One: We try to take matters into our own hands and make them happen. And Two: It will come.

AH was talking about how, often we do a bit of a "Sarah". Where we take matters into our own hands. When we are shown what is to come, we try to handle it ourselves. Sarah took matters into her own hands and set out to get that son God promised her. She disrupted the family God had set up with her and Abraham (at the time Abram), and added an Egyptian slave, Hagar. Between Hagar's son Ishmael, and Sarah's later son, Isaac, two great nations arose. At the time all Sarah saw was the face of two boys, both fathered by her husband. Did she see two conflicting nations? Did she look into their eyes and see the roles they would play in building two peoples that hated each other? Surely not. Sarah, didn't know what was in store. (At least, I'm pretty sure she didn't) But the point is, she was told "you're going to have a son" and when it didn't come in her timing, she took matters upon herself and set out to make it happen. To this day, there are now two opposing nations. Wow! I bet more than anything she had no idea all this would come of that one mistake.

The second part, "It will come", is about God's timing. I call this a "Sarah Promise", because, I believe we can know God's promises, but we don't always know His timing. In fact, I'm not sure we do very often at all. This kind of "Sarah Promise" could also be called a "Noah Promise" (He was told to build the arc, and the rains didn't come for another 100 years.) a "Job Promise" (God promised to never leave him or forsake him, yet Job lost everything.) an "Israelite Promise" (God was actually silent to them for 400 years before sending Moses!)

I claim "Sarah Promises", because I believe God has promises for me. I believe that He won't leave me. That what He's asked of me is for His good purpose. I believe that He has perfect timing. And it's out of my control. Just because He promised it in winter, doesn't mean it will come in spring, but it will come.

Think about the Israelites for a moment. For generations of 400 years, they sent up prayers to be delivered. God heard them. He told Moses He had. He was going to deliver them. He promised it. But a lot of those generations never left Egypt. Did God abandon His promise? No. Did God forget them? No. Did God follow through on His perfect timing? Yes. Yes He did.

Claim the promises God has ordained for you before time and space came to be, and remember, they may not come how and when you think they will, but they will come. Depend upon Him. His will. And His purpose for your life. Don't try to take short cuts or make it happen your way. God has it perfectly planned out, so that everything that happens will perfect you for that promise. He's given you what He has to make you just right to fulfill His promises in you.

Claim. Believe. Hope. Follow.

~MadaLee