DAY 6 or January 6. Good things come to those who wait.
Our thought today is rooted in Genesis chapter 17, verses 1 and 2. When Abraham was ninety-nine
years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, I am God Almighty, walk before me faithfully
and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you, and will greatly increase
your numbers.
First the big picture surrounding these verses. In the days of Abraham, having an heir is
a vital mark of manhood. God has promised him many descendants. He has promised Abraham
that he will be a nation. But how will that work out if he still has no children? After
waiting ten years, Abraham and Sere decide to do what the local Canaanites do, have a
child by a servant girl and adopt it as their own. They do this, and a son is born to Hagar.
His name is Ishmael. Abraham and Sarai still yearn for a son of their own, but as the years
pass by they are sure they are far too old now. God changes Abram's name to Abraham,
meaning father of a multitude, and Sarai to Sarah, meaning princess. As a sign of the covenant
between God and Abraham, circumcision is introduced and God repeats his promise of an heir for
Abraham. All Abraham can do is laugh. Still no son, and time is running out.
And now our action step for today. Patience is a virtue, and we see it in abundance in
the lives of Sere and Abraham. It's too easy to say that they did the wrong thing by using
Hagar as a surrogate mother. However, this elderly couple deserves some praise for waiting
ten years. Then they waited a further thirteen years before receiving another promise from
God, and still they waited. Would you have waited so long? There is a word of warning
here for all of us. Don't turn your back on God because he hasn't confirmed your timetable.
Part of being a follower of Christ is accepting that his timings are the best. Whatever you
are waiting for from God will be worth it. Just ask Abraham and Sarah.