Jan 17 (Daily reading: Genesis 16-18) Lessons from today’s reading: (1) Sarai thought Hagar was a solution for the problem of Abram not having an heir. But think of this equation: life experience minus patience minus trust equals finding ourselves outside the will of God!
(2) Even when we mess when we try our own solutions to doing God’s will, God does not abandon us. He came to Hagar in her desolation, and we are introduced to another name for God: “You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees” (16:13, NKJV).
(3) The fulfilment of God’s will is progressive. 24 years after receiving the promise of becoming a great nation, Abram, “exalted father,” became Abraham, “father of a multitude.” God stretches our faith, but He always fulfills His purposes!
(4) Genesis 17:1 gives one of the favorite names for God, “El-Shaddai,” “I am God Almighty.” For Abraham, this meant ‘the God who does the impossible.’ The Lord asked Abraham, “Is anything too difficult for the LORD?” (18:14). Jesus reminded us, “All things are possible with God” (Mk. 10:27).
(5) God will always have the last laugh! Abraham (17:17) and Sarah (18:12) laughed at the thought of having a child at their age. Looking ahead to 21:6, when Isaac, whose name means “he will laugh,” was born, we read what Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.” Is it not amazing how God can turn things around?!
(6) May our faith equal Abraham’s faith: “Being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform” (Rom. 4:21).
-Al Gary
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