e-Ministries Devotions
article #0018
by: Jon Justvig ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

We're going to learn that there are miracles with patience. Rushing into situations without the Lord's prompting can cause undesirable effects as we will soon learn.

Gen 16:1 (KJV) Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.

This right here could raise questions on what's about to happen here.

Sarai was barren and her womb was closed while Abram and her were wanting children.

Gen 16:2 (KJV) And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath
restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that
I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

Gen 16:3 (KJV) And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian,
after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

Gen 16:4 (KJV) And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she
saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

It was wish for Sarai that Abram lay with his handmaid for her to bare
a child and that's exactly what happened and at the moment it seems all
nice and cool, but what's in the moment isn't always what God's plan is
and that patience is what God wants from us.

Say you're really wanting children and it seems impossible at the moment,
but understand here that nothing is impossible with God.

Luk 1:37 (KJV) For with God nothing shall be impossible.

If you were Sarai, would you really want your husband to lay with another woman. Especially with a love commitment, there is going to be issues
created that are undesirable as we will soon see.

Gen 16:5 (KJV) And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have
given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived,
I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.

Gen 16:6 (KJV) But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand;
do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she
fled from her face.

Gen 16:7 (KJV) And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water
in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.

Gen 16:8 (KJV) And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress
Sarai.

Now we will learn what the Lord's plan was for Sarai and Abram from the
very beginning.

What a terrible affilication it would be unable to bare children, this
happen with God's perfect surprise.

Gen 16:9 (KJV) And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy
mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.

Gen 16:10 (KJV) And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply
thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

Gen 16:11 (KJV) And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art
with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because
the LORD hath heard thy affliction.

God hears our cries, feels our pain, knows our heart. Always seek Him,
pray continually. If it's God's will, it will happen. There may be
something out there that is similiar to Abram's and Sarai's situation that
you may feel is unfair. Give your situation to the Lord in Truth. He
will open doors that no man can shut.

May peace rest with you.

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