GOD’s PROMISES may be DELAYED but never DENIED

 

January 6 Bible Reading: Genesis Chapters 16-18

GOD’s PROMISES may be DELAYED but never DENIED

When God promises us something, He will surely keep his promise no matter how long the delay is. God’s delays are not denials. “God is not a man, that He should lie…” (Numbers 23:19a). God had told Abraham specifically that his own son will be his heir and his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky (Gen. 15: 4, 5). However, Abraham listened to his wife Sarah and obtained a child Ishmael through Hagar, his wife’s maidservant. This hasty decision bears repercussions that are still affecting us today. We now know that God had delayed His blessing until Abraham was very old and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing (Gen. 18:11) in order to prove that there was nothing too hard for Him (Gen. 18:14). Let us wait patiently that God will fulfill His purposes in our lives in His time.

In Genesis 18:19, God testifies about Abraham that He has known him “in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice…”  Here God singled out Abraham to direct his family to keep the way of the Lord. 

I believe that there is a message to all fathers/husbands here. As the ‘spiritual leaders’ of our homes it is our responsibility to actively promote family altar, Bible reading, prayer and holy living among family members. Ultimately the ‘buck stops here’. 

Fathers/Husbands, let us not shirk our responsibility to lead and direct our family in godly ways.