Scripture:
Genesis 16:1-6 ESV
[1] Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar. [2] And Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go into my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. [3] So, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her servant, and gave her to Abram her husband as a wife. [4] And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress. [5] And Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my servant to your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the Lord judge between you and me!” [6] But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your servant is in your power; do to her as you please.” Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her.
Observation:
Abram’s wife thought she had it all figured out she was going to help GOD fulfill his promise. She wanted a child, and she could probably see that not having a son was making her husband discouraged in his faith. So, when she brought the idea to him, he was willing to listen and entertain it. Let’s take notice of where the servant girl came from. She was from Egypt, which is not something that should be just glanced over. Egypt in the bible always seems to be a representation of bondage and sin. That’s not to mention she herself was a slave. When Abram agreed, it was as if he agreed to bondage. That seems to be what happened because when Hagar conceived Sarai, Abram’s wife, was not happy at all and made it clear. Thinking that her husband had done something wrong to her, and he did, he did not love his wife as he should have, telling her it was not a good idea. Instead, he went along with it. Because he wanted offspring. Not knowing that GOD’S plan was right around the corner. When the whole thing went south, Abram reminded his wife that she had authority over Hagar and told Sarai to do with her what she wanted.
Application:
Have you ever tried to help GOD and only make a mess? It seems like every time I get involved, I find myself in trouble. GOD’S promises are just that HIS promises, and if we cannot trust HIM to do what HE said, then what are we doing following HIM? It’s not up to us. We just need to hold tight to HIS instructions found in HIS word and watch HIM move. I know it’s hard to wait on GOD, but HIS plan is perfect, and that takes time. Ok, listen, I have things that I want to do, things that I believe HE promises me, and my heart hurts daily waiting on HIM. However, I must wait.
I don’t want to do anything that is outside of HIS will. Not because I think I am going to earn my way, but because HE is my first love. As I am waiting on HIM, I will worship, and when HE moves my mountain, I will praise HIM Exodus 14:14 says to be still, and know that I the LORD am fighting for you. So, if you are waiting on HIM. I’m going to speak this over all of us because I need it as well. Breakthrough is coming. Be still and know the one you serve sees you. HE sees your wants, your heart, and your desire to obey. HE wants you to have your heart’s desires, and when you are ready, HE will give them to you. Abram wasn’t ready with Hagar. That’s why it was so easy for him to cast her and the boy away. However, if we move to the next chapter when the LORD speaks to him again about his wife and the promise, we see him ready. GOD’S plan will prevail. Just hold on to HIS promises.
I have been praying for 6 years about the woman I married. She is addicted to meth and is running from GOD she in denial about it and because she has done meth from the age of 13 doesn’t see it as a problem. I want to help GOD fix this at times because I get lonely and want my wife to fall in line. It honestly hurts my heart to see people chase after things that take them away from HIM. This S.O.A.P. is for me this morning.
My heart hurts it’s been way too long and I need a breakthrough I know I’m not the only one who needs a breakthrough I know my father sees me and I know he sees you I tell myself all the time just obey ……that’s it just obey……that’s all you can do just obey and HE will come through at just the right time……waiting is hard…. but HE sees you and HE knows you align your heart with HIS and STAND and when you have done all you can STAND.
Prayer:
Father, we trust you. We will wait for you. Because you know what is best. You know when we are ready. We know that the enemy will try to sidetrack us and get us to look another way at something that looks better or that seems to fix the problems inside us, but father only you can do that, and honestly, it’s on your time. We just want to be found doing what you want us to. Our lives are not our own. You bought them with a price. So, as we wait on you, please help us to stay focused on your promises. Show us that we are doing the right thing. Let us not just discard others to cover our sin. We know that in this time, you are molding and shaping us to be more like your son, to not give up, to see your promises come to pass. We know that you want us to have our hearts desires, and as our hearts desire, line up with your will you will freely give them to us. I’m sure I am not speaking only for myself when I say, “My heart is for you, father.” I want what you want. I want to be found using what you gave me for the kingdom……..even when it hurts. I TRUST YOU TO GIVE ME WHAT I NEED. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.