Walk Before Me And Be Blameless

Many a times, we talk about Abrahams faith and what he achieved. In Romans 4:20 (NKJV), it is said of Abraham that, “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God". Another translations renders the same text as, "He staggered not at the promises of God through unbelief". But that was not always the case. In the Genesis accounts, we see he wasn’t always that resolute in faith in waiting for Isaac so this may seem like a contradiction but not at all. There was a before and after moment that made Abraham resolute in faith.

Scripture says we need faith to be able to please God. Abraham, like all of us, had to wait for the promise of the Father. He went through all the tests and temptations we face on daily bases. Imagine, the frustration of seeing your own servants who drink your water, eat your food and live under your roof have babies you may even care for while being childless yourself. By the help of God, Abraham had accomplished some great feats - saving Sodom and surrounding villages from their enemies and receiving prophetic declarations of greatness and generational blessings. Yet, at the time of this encounter, 24 years after He responded to God's call, this specific promised child was still not in the picture. That was not an easy or common test, not even for a man of faith.

In the preceding chapter (Genesis 16) when 10 years had elapsed since his call, Sarai proposed an alternative means by which they could obtain a child. By then, Abraham was also probably wondering if he like his wife was impotent so when what looked like an opportunity came to have a heir (not just a child), he didn’t think twice. He might have proceeded with this option because Sarah was in agreement with that. After all, was this not a logical thing to do in their long wait? But, if he resolutely believed God was going to fulfill the promise of providing a heir through Sarai would he have slept with Hagar? What are you compromising on because God's promise is delaying? Are you doing it because you have the support of close people even though you know it's contradicts God's instruction to you?

God will not lower his standards to accommodate your sin simply because it is you. He will also not skip processes that will develop your character because He favours you. The Abraham we have come to know as a man of faith who staggered not at the promises of God went through a process. Abraham was content to have Ishmael though that was not the promise. Have you settled for an alternative simply because the original is delaying? The process of waiting is not easy, your patience may be tested to its farthest extent (see Psalm 105:17-19). But, if you go ahead of Him, you will cause more problems. We can’t deviate from God's expected path and expect to receive what He has promised. No! God will always put things right before the promise can manifest so that not even the enemy can question the legitimacy of what He gives us.