Have You Slept with the Maidservant?

Most are familiar with Abraham and Sarah's story in Genesis. God promised them an heir, a son, and after waiting and waiting, both doubted God. Sarah even laughed at him. After all, Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90. How on earth could Sarah bear a son at her age?

As the story goes, they took matters into their hands. Sarah convinced Abraham to sleep with their maidservant, Hagar, who did, indeed, become pregnant and bore a son for Abraham. This impulsive sin led to a multitude of problems, including Hagar becoming unmanageable, Sarah becoming bitter and resentful, and direct disobedience to God by both Abraham and Sarah.

How many times have we put God on our timeline instead of following His? It's so easy to get worried, troubled, distressed, depressed and anxious about tomorrow even when we have the everlasting promise of the Creator that He holds tomorrow and us in the palms of His mighty hands.

In a "microwave world" of instant gratification and impatience, we want it now. We don't want to wait. In fact, most of us hate to wait....for anything. When times are at their bleakest, hope is nowhere to be found, and pain runs deep, be encouraged!

What God has in store for you is worth the wait and better than anything you can imagine. He will make good on His promises.

Has there been a time you have taken matters into your own hands when God has promised you He would deliver? What "maidservant" did you sleep with to get your way and in your own time instead of in God's?

Have you bread something not of God? Just like God was able to bless Abraham and Sarah after disobedience, He is still able to bless us and clean up our messes. We just have to allow him in.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"God, help us to be patient and wait upon You. Help us to trust your timing and never doubt You when we things feel overwhelming. Forgive us for times of doubt and unbelief. We thank You for being our dependable provider, comforter, and friend. Thank You for always being right on time. Not a second too late or too soon. Amen"