Warning: This rambling is truly worthy of a confused Monday.
I’m pondering ‘What’s up with this leg of my ‘Journey’ with the Lord?!’
I’m studying Genesis in my Community Bible Study. We’re at the point where God is making His covenant with Abram and promising that Sarai will have a son. It has been 10+ years since God promised Abram descendants that would rival the number of stars in the sky and no child has been born. Sarai and Abram have gotten a little ‘antsy’ and decided to ‘help God out’ a little bit. Sarai has ‘encouraged’ Abram to have ‘relations’ with Hagar (maidservant of Sarai); Hagar has become pregnant with Ishmael; the household is under siege with unrest and discord; Sarai has ran Hagar off because she just couldn’t deal with the implications/outcomes/results. No one is happy. Could it be that they usurped the Lord’s plans?
Abram is nearly 100 and Sarai is nearly 90. God shows up after more than 10 years after promising a child (25+ years after promising a nation) … he has a face to face with Abram and reconfirms His covenant and promises that Sarai will bear a child. There is much more to the story, but I have to say that I really got caught up on the gap in time between God’s promise and His fulfillment.
I realize that God’s timing is much different that mine. I also appreciate that His ways are much higher than any ways on this earth. But I gotta say that I’m in a time of life right here – right now where I really wish that God would reappear and renew a commitment… a promise… with me.. and talk to me about ‘fulfillment’.
Sometimes I consider this amazing journey that I am on with and through Christ… I marvel at his goodness and faithfulness to me and my family… I can look back over my spiritual life and see where choices have been made… decisions cast… turns committed to and see His hands all over me and mine… his perfect timing. Then I consider the past 5 years and I just wonder if my ‘journey’ has been sidetracked or delayed.
Today, I wonder, why this leg of the journey is so long. I wonder if I got on the ‘wrong train’, or if like that recent airplane fiasco that went 3 hours without communication and overshot the targeted airport… is my pilot asleep at the wheel or is He busy ‘reading up’ on the latest ‘Angel Training Policy’.
I say all of this ‘in just’… and I really do have an amazing faith and trust in the Creator of this Universe. I do not doubt His goodness and His plan for my life, but I have to admit that these thoughts do go through my mind… and satan just loves to grab onto my momentary doubt and make it into a ‘big deal’.
Do YOU ever wonder ‘what’s up?’ Do you ever wonder if like in the reality series Amazing Race, that you’ve hit a ROAD BLOCK… and there is something that you have to find or uncover before you continue on the journey?
If you are like me… you accept that there are seasons in life… and – just maybe – you get a little antsy, just like Abram and Sarai… and consider taking things into your own hands… and find out that you’ve ’screwed things all up’.
These time gaps are times of preparation. We like Abram must go through training… we go through many difficulties and hardships because God wants to train us to put hope in God alone. God wants to completely break us from our attachments to worldly things and human hopes. Human hopes are like the mist of the morning. They are here for a moment, then gone. But those who put their hope in God are not weakened but strengthened (Isaiah 40:31).
Let me offer the only thing I know… His Word and a prayer. Allow my confession of momentary lapse be fuel to your faith.
God knows ALL & cares for you. Luke 12:6-7
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
God never forgets or leaves us & is mighty to save. Deuteronomy 31:6 & Zephaniah 3:17
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
God is our refuge. 2 Samuel 22:3
My God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior,the one who saves me from violence.
He intends ‘good’ for us. John 10:10
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
His greatest desire is for us to trust and not waver in our faith. Romans 3:22 & Revelation 2:10
We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer. The devil will throw some of you into prison to test you. You will suffer for ten days. But if you remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life.
Father God, many of us have long-term battles in our lives that seem hopeless to us. We have spent hours on our knees in prayer, yet the enemy’s onslaught of ‘doubt arrows’ continue. We are tired and weary, our hearts are sore yet we declare, ‘We shall not lose heart.’ We claim the confidence that we have through you. We take your armor and we will fight, if need be, until our dying breath, confident that the One who reigns supreme and sits upon the Throne will eventually conquer. We will press knowing that you are walking with us, loving us, and preparing us for greater things. We love you Lord. Draw us nearer to you. Strengthen our faith. In your precious name we pray, Amen.
