Don't Force God’s Promises to Happen

Daily Reflection: Genesis 16:1-2 - 1/18/2024

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Abram agreed to what Sarai said. — Genesis 16:1-2

The pages of Scripture are filled with stories of God’s people receiving His promises—promises that were as good as done because of the One who made them. However, on the journey toward experiencing these promises, there were instances when individuals thought it would be a good idea to “help” God.

“Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her,” Sarai said. And Abram [happily] obliged.

There is, in our minds, a certain cruelty about the way God works. He promises, but then requires us to wait for the realization of the promise. It is in this waiting space that we fearfully come up with grand and seemingly helpful ideas to expedite God’s promises, only to end up creating a mess that God has to rescue us from.

When we feel the temptation to make God’s promises happen, we must ask ourselves these questions:

1. What am I afraid of that is driving this desire to act?

2. Why am I eager to have God's promise fulfilled immediately?

3. Would my confidence be in God if I take action?

Yes, there are times God calls us to act, and when he does it will always be in faith, never fear or pride. And when he calls us to wait, we can trust (have faith) that he is aware of what is happening in our lives. He knows the supposed deadlines, and he remains committed to working “all things out for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purposes.”

The reason God makes promises is because he wants to give us hope. The reason God is patient is because he wants to increase our faith. When we act hurriedly, instead of waiting patiently, we rob ourselves of the opportunity to grow in faith and hope.

Yes, the waiting may create anxiety, as it did for Sarai (Sarah) and Abram (Abraham), but instead of the anxiety causing us to act hurriedly, it could cause us to wonder at how miraculous the promised miracle would be. After all, the difficulty only increases in our eyes; to God there is no difference between supplying a meal and raising the dead! So rather than dread because of the impossibilities we face, we could marvel at what God will do.

Consider Mary, the theotokos; the angel told her that she would bear a son that would be the Son of the Most High, would have an everlasting kingdom, and that the means of his coming would be thus: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you…”

What did Mary do upon hearing this confusing and impossible word?

She said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

Then she waited.

Oh, I’m sure she touched her belly every now and again, wondering if she felt something. But she waited, trusting that God would do what he promised. And he did.

And he will.

Therefore, as the author of Hebrews encourages, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

Heavenly Father, admittedly, sometimes it is difficult to wait on you. For we still live by sight and, like Elisha’s servant, we often only see the troubles around us. Teach us to see you, and lay hold of your promises, that we might stand unswervingly upon your word, and experience your deliverance. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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