Galatians 4:22
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman.
Even though Abraham was approaching 100 years old and Sarah was approaching 90 years old, Almighty God promised that He would supernaturally open the womb of Sarah and upon the seed of Abraham He would build the nation of Israel. But Sarah and Abraham lost faith in the promise, so they sought natural means to provide a son. Sarah allowed Abraham to sleep with their pagan slave, Hagar. Through the union of Abraham and Hagar, Ishmael was born. Thirteen years later, God supplied the supernatural birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah.
Because God promised Abraham he would raise up great nations through him, God allowed Ishmael to be a great nation. But because Ishmael was the product of the natural process, there was no covenant with the nation of Ishmael. In fact, God told Abraham that “Ishmael will be a wild donkey of a man, His hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand will be against him; and he will live to the east of all his brothers.” The conflicts in the middle east today are the result of Abraham taking matters into his own hands.
The only covenant that God honored was the one that was of the supernatural process. We should take great care not to rush ahead of God when He has a plan for our lives. For God can only honor that which He blesses.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the many promises that You have given us and we rejoice in knowing that You have a special plan for each of us. We pray, Lord, for the wisdom to wait on You. We ask the Holy Spirit guide us and instruct us in accordance with Your perfect will for our lives.
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