Genesis: The Story of God's FaithfulnessSýnishorn

TRUSTING IN GOD’S PROMISES

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Relying on God can often feel insufficient for the present circumstances. Maybe we don’t see God working. Maybe we don’t trust that he’ll take care of us. Maybe it feels more secure to rely on ourselves and what we can control. 

Abram and his wife Sarai definitely understand this feeling. It has now been ten years since God gave his promise to Abram. Losing faith and patience, Abram takes matters into his own hands and sleeps with Sarah’s maid Hagar. They have a child who they name Ishmael. Despite Abram’s lack of faith, God will remain faithful to his original promise. Eventually, Abram’s wife Sarah will conceive by the power of God and give birth to a baby named Isaac.

In Galatians 4, Paul comments on this account, noting that Ishmael was conceived because Abram asserted his control instead of trusting God. Isaac, on the other hand, was conceived by a miracle of God because of God’s promise. Paul says that Ishmael represents people who are slaves to the law, but Isaac represents those who are free. Abram taking matters into his own hands to conceive Ishmael is compared to people taking their salvation into their own hands. When people try in their own control and own power to obey God, they are slaves to the law. They try and try but never measure up to God’s perfect standard on their own. 

On the other hand, Isaac’s conception due to the promises of God is compared to those who receive salvation by faith, not works. This is what defines a Christian today. Christians are those who allow God’s grace and God’s promises to transform their hearts. They don’t rely on what they can achieve. They don’t rely on their own works. They receive the gift of salvation by faith. 

And Christians continue to live by faith as they mature spiritually. This means we look to God and his promises instead of to our own control and capabilities. When we struggle with doubt and impatience like Abram, we can choose to wait on the Lord and trust his promises instead of taking matters into our own hands. 

REFLECT: Where in your life are you currently experiencing doubt towards God or impatience with his timing? Identify a promise in the Bible that speaks to your current situation, and pray and ask God to help you trust in this promise instead of relying on yourself.