Guard Against Running Ahead
We live in a society driven by impatience and a desire for instant gratification. Our attitude toward life often resembles Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka, shouting “I Want It Now.' Although we recognize God's calling and claim to trust His plan, we tend to rush ahead and act on our own timing rather than resting in and trusting God's perfect timing. This act of disobedience isn't new; it appears in the story of Abram and Sarai when they received the promise of an heir. Genesis 16 highlights this moment of impatience and their attempt to force God’s plan into motion.
Genesis 16:1-5
Abram’s wife, Sarai, had not borne any children for him, but she owned an Egyptian slave named Hagar. Sarai said to Abram, “Since the Lord has prevented me from bearing children, go to my slave; perhaps through her I can build a family.” And Abram agreed to what Sarai said. So Abram’s wife, Sarai, took Hagar, her Egyptian slave, and gave her to her husband, Abram, as a wife for him. This happened after Abram had lived in the land of Canaan ten years. He slept with Hagar, and she became pregnant. When she saw that she was pregnant, her mistress became contemptible to her. Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for my suffering! I put my slave in your arms, and when she saw that she was pregnant, I became contemptible to her. May the Lord judge between me and you.”
GROWING UNEASY IN THE WAITING
God’s promise to Abram and Sarai was clear. They questioned who their heir would be since they had no son, and God promised that their son would be their heir. At this moment, the promise is not doubted, but Abram and Sarai become anxious as they wait. They allow their waiting on the Lord to turn into restlessness. Having waited some time with no sign of fulfillment, this uneasiness causes Sarai and Abram to forget that God’s timing is perfect and that a delayed promise is not a forgotten one. When we feel the pressure of waiting on the Lord, we often try to hasten His plan. We may jump ahead instead of trusting and waiting in faith. What steps could you take to help yourself in the waiting process?
ATTEMPTING TO FIGURE OUT THE NEXT STEPS IN HUMAN REASON
Sarai devised a plan to advance God's promise. She approached Abram and suggested giving her servant Haggar as a wife to bear a child for him. While this might seem unusual today, it was considered logical and acceptable in their time. Sarai tried to fulfill God's plan based on her understanding rather than trusting in God's power to accomplish the impossible. Abram accepted her plan without seeking God's guidance through prayer or spiritual discernment, showing how faith weakens when we try to fulfill God’s promises through our own reasoning instead of trusting Him. Reflect on a time when you tried to figure out your next steps without involving the Lord.
THE PAIN IN THE HURRY
Rushing ahead of the Lord often causes different kinds of pain. Sarai experienced relationship, emotional, and spiritual distress from trying to move faster than God’s timing. When we force God’s plan, we set the stage for pain to enter. Sarai was then troubled by pride, anger, blame, and dissatisfaction. These issues arose not because they were necessary but because they resulted from walking ahead of God's guidance. Sarai’s story highlights the reality that impatience can lead to suffering. Recognizing moments when impatience causes pain can help us understand its impact. Can you recall a time when your impatience led to pain?
SEE GOD’S GOODNESS AND PROMISE
Sarai, Hagar, and Abram were all flawed due to their decision to act ahead of God's timing. Their disobedience resulted in consequences and brokenness. However, the Lord did not abandon or forsake them. Instead, He showed mercy and kept His promises. Mercy is when God withholds the punishment we deserve. Though He had every right to punish them, He chose mercy and continued to work in their lives. Later in Genesis, the Lord will bring forth Isaac to fulfill His promise. This teaches us that impatience does not cancel God's promises, and that the Lord does not need our assistance to accomplish His plans.
Genesis 16 teaches us about the dangers of trying to force God's hand, highlighting the importance of waiting on the Lord and trusting in His timing. God is always punctual; He is never early or late. Our patience and alignment with His timing deepen our faith. Veruca Salt exemplifies the consequences of impatience, demanding everything immediately, which results in severe punishment. We should aspire to master the art of resting, trusting, and waiting on God.
