Text: Genesis 16:4 KJV
Further Reading: 1 Samuel 13:1-14
And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
Genesis 16:4
MESSAGE
Every time we decide to work out something ahead of God’s plans it turns out a regret in the end. The more reason why you need to wait upon the Lord.
Waiting is the most difficult phase any man can be in God’s plans – a place when things seem not to be working humanly and one is forced to do nothing but wait.
In 1 Samuel 13, Saul made war with the Philistines and the whole army was gathered at Gilgal. This was a decisive war, the men were weary but the instruction was for Saul to wait for Samuel. Saul though had waited till the seventh day saw the people scattering and did what he felt was the best option at the time. He said, “I saw that the people are scattered from me… I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering” (1 Samuel 13:11,12).
One thing that amazed me in the story was that immediately Saul made the sacrifice, Samuel arrived. If he had waited a little bit more, God would have established his kingdom forever (vs 13).
When we find ourselves in similar situations, we must trust God for grace to keep waiting. Waiting in the sense that you stand still, do nothing and patiently wait for God’s salvation(Exodus 14:13). Many forces will rise against you, seen and unseen. But more dangerously are the internal conflict that presents themselves. We must tap into the unlimited power that lies in God’s grace at this juncture.
In our text of the day, we saw the repercussions and regret in Sarai’s decision to give Abram Hagar her maid. The Bible says that she became despised because her maid got pregnant. Hagar was not in God’s plan for Abram, she was the extra luggage that they brought from Egypt.
Waiting is not bad in the end, we save ourselves the troubles and agony of regret that may arise from our hasty alternative. Wait upon the Lord and be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart (Psalms 27:14)
No matter how difficult the situation may be, God will bring you out unscratched. Are you waiting on God for a spouse, a child, admission, your house, or any other things? God will come, simply believe Him and you will not be put to shame.
Any alternative you work out for yourself will lead to nothing but regret, run from it.
REFLECTION
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Matthew 24:13
We must receive grace to wait on God till the end. It is not enough to start well, but more important to finish well and strong.
PRAYER
Father, please give me the grace and strength to wait till the end.
