Don’t Get Weary While You Wait

Abraham waited 20 years for God to fulfill His promise to him. Romans 4:18 (NIV) says, “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him…” When Isaac did finally come, God’s promise was fulfilled. Abraham had his own child, born in a supernatural way, to a woman who could not have children.

Tired of Waiting on God?

We have to guard against becoming weary during the wait. Along the way Abraham and Sarah became weary and took a detour from the promise of God. Tired of waiting, Sarah went to Abraham and suggested he have a baby with her maid, Hagar, because God had prevented Sarah from having children. She had an idea she thought was helping God’s plan, and Abraham listened to her and did what she said.

But when Hagar got pregnant, Sarah and Hagar were filled with contempt for one another. Sarah blamed Abraham for the whole thing and instead of a miracle, they had a mess. Hagar gave birth to Ishmael who did not live in covenant with God, and his life was filled with hostility (see Genesis 16:12; 17:20-21).

So you see, there are two ways we can live:

• The supernatural (Isaac)—God gives a promise, you make it all the way through the middle and receive that promise.
• The flesh (Ishmael)—You hear what God says, get tired of waiting and do your own thing.

Unfortunately, many of us create our own Ishmael’s. You may even be dealing with a mess right now because of something you got into, trying to make something happen in your timing instead of waiting on God for His timing. But the great news is that you don’t have to stay in that mess. God’s grace will help turn those situations around for good.

Make your mind up that whatever the middle consists of, you’re going to make it through and keep believing God. You’re going to have to roll up your spiritual sleeves, get ready to fight the good fight of faith, and be willing to say, “I am here to stay. I am not turning back. I am pressing through, and I am going to be what God wants me to be. I am going to do what He wants me to do, and I am going to have what He wants me to have…no matter how long it takes!”