Exhausted Faith
“The Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have.” - Genesis 15:5
So with that promise from God, Abram and Sarai believed they would have a son soon; but once Sarai reached the age of 75, she and her faith were exhausted. Abram had weakened also. This led Sarai to devise her own plan.
READ: Genesis 16
A human attempt to bring about God's promise comes with consequences. When our faith is exhausted, we start to make decisions with our flesh instead of our Spirit. In this story in particular, God showed Abram the end result but didn't give them the time, dates, and guidelines for making it happen. How dare he! If He did, we wouldn't need Him, and we wouldn't need faith. It isn't up to us to “make it happen,” and I am so relieved. Take a deep breath and let that sink in.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” - Romans 8:28
Go back to His promise. What is the last thing He spoke to you? Start there. Stay in His Word, and stay in His presence. He will give you the next step, so don’t become exhausted. Strengthen your faith. He is “The God who sees you,” and He is not against you. He is rooting for you, and I am too. Is anything too hard for the Lord?
PRAYER: Read David's Prayer of Thanks out loud in 1 Chronicles 17:16-27.
JOURNAL: Write down His thoughts about you. What does He want you to know? I promise you, it's all good.
So with that promise from God, Abram and Sarai believed they would have a son soon; but once Sarai reached the age of 75, she and her faith were exhausted. Abram had weakened also. This led Sarai to devise her own plan.
READ: Genesis 16
A human attempt to bring about God's promise comes with consequences. When our faith is exhausted, we start to make decisions with our flesh instead of our Spirit. In this story in particular, God showed Abram the end result but didn't give them the time, dates, and guidelines for making it happen. How dare he! If He did, we wouldn't need Him, and we wouldn't need faith. It isn't up to us to “make it happen,” and I am so relieved. Take a deep breath and let that sink in.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” - Romans 8:28
Go back to His promise. What is the last thing He spoke to you? Start there. Stay in His Word, and stay in His presence. He will give you the next step, so don’t become exhausted. Strengthen your faith. He is “The God who sees you,” and He is not against you. He is rooting for you, and I am too. Is anything too hard for the Lord?
PRAYER: Read David's Prayer of Thanks out loud in 1 Chronicles 17:16-27.
JOURNAL: Write down His thoughts about you. What does He want you to know? I promise you, it's all good.
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1 Comment
This is a great reminder that God’s plans and promises for His children are perfect. We must continually trust and believe that Our Father is working all things together for our good and for His Glory. His way of bringing the promise to pass may not be the way we think it should be done, but it’s okay. God’s way is the best way and that is what matters. Our Father knows Best!