So she said to Abram, “The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Abram agreed to what Sarai said. Genesis 16:2 (NIV)
Have you noticed that sometimes we feel full of faith, but other times not? Abram was a great man of faith, but he had his weak moments as well.
God had promised Abram that he would have an heir, but nothing had materialized.
Abram and Sarai decide to take matters into their own hands and “help God out.” Sarai asks Abram to sleep with her maid, Hagar, that she might bear Abram a son. Abram agrees and Hagar conceives and bears Abram a son.
But not so fast. Read the remainder of Genesis 16 for yourself. The failure to trust God causes big problems. Our world is still experiencing the negative impacts of that decision to “help God.”
Each of us will have times of testing that require us to patiently submit and wait on God’s timing. As we trust Him, our faith grows. As our faith grows, we please the Lord.
Which will it be: Your way or God’s way?