Best Laid Plans

Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai. (Genesis 16:1-2)

Far too often, we compromise the work of the Lord by seeking to accomplish our ends by our means, when He would have us humble ourselves, be patient, be still, and wait until He renews our strength. Even today, much that is promoted as Christian ministry is actually the result of restlessness, prayerlessness, and human ingenuity which the Bible simply calls foolishness. If the Lord is teaching His children anything at all in this day, I believe it is, "Jesus alone is enough!" 

Our efforts to save, rescue, serve, and change the world are more a hindrance to His plan than a help. Christ alone is the Word of God, and the only thing the Lord has to say to the world is, “This is my beloved Son. Hear Him!”

Let us not produce "Ishmaels" through our ambition and the works of our flesh, when the promises of God are fulfilled in Isaac. May the Lord teach us to be still and know that He is God!

 

Let’s Pray – Father, give us the wisdom and patience to wait on You, no matter how long that wait may be. There is no substitute for the divine, and may we not look for or employ any. Christ and Christ alone! Amen.