My Times In Your Hand

Did you ever determined to solve the problems you have confronted? In the back of your mind you know that you should approach God in faith and in prayer to seek his help and guidance in solving those very difficult circumstances. Our weakness is to believe in ourselves as being fully capable of solving  all problems. A part of that over confidence includes a matter of impatience on our part. We simply have trouble waiting on God. He may not act as quickly as we think he should.

   On one occasion in the O.T., we find Sarah, the wife of Abraham taking matters into her on hands when God did not act as soon as she thought he should. God had promised Abraham and Sarah that he would be the father of many nations. But at the age of 76 she was still childless. Impatient with God, Sarah decided to do something. She followed the custom of her day by which a barren woman could produce a child through a servant, in this case through Hagar. It seemed like a perfect plan, but it turned sour quickly. Sarah found out she could not bear Hagar sleeping with her husband. Hagar’s union caused great conflict with Sarah and for generations to come. One can’t  help but wonder if Sarah didn’t say, “I wish I waited on the Lord!” It is certainly wise to wait on God’s timetable. The Psalmist said “My times are in your hands...” (31:15). And again, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (27:14)