2022-02-12 Shekinah – Can we run ahead of God – Michio
Can we run ahead of God?
1 – Background
God’s promises to Abram:
Blessings of whole world
I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3)
Many descendants
I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, (Genesis 13:16)
Abram’s Dilemma
“But Sar’ai was barren; she had no child.” (Genesis 11:30)
2 – How it developed
Abram’s decision
Gen 16:2
“and Sar’ai said to Abram, “Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children; go in to my maid; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sar’ai.””
Abram hearkened (to Sar’ai)
Abram hearkened (shama שָׁמַע to hear, to obey, to listen to). Abram obeyed the voice of Sar’ai as over against the voice of God, which we see eventually leads to be a catastrophe to this day.
3 – Consequence
Gen 16:4
So he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress (Sar’ai) became despised in her eyes.
The curse of barrenness in that culture was serious and so Hagar despised Sar’ai.
Gen 16:5
Then Sar’ai said to Abram, “My wrong [be] upon you! I gave my maid into your embrace; and when she saw that she had conceived, I became despised in her eyes. The LORD judge between you and me.”
Sar’ai blamed the whole situation on Abram, and for good cause. He should have acted as the spiritual leader and told his wife God was able to perform what He promised, and they didn’t need to try to “help God out” in the works of the flesh.
4 – Was it a good decision?
Abram wanted to have a child; so he married Hagar without God’s consent. This decision came not of the LORD who called him.
Foul temptations may have very fair pretenses.
Fleshly wisdom puts us out of God’s way.
Even though Abraham made serious mistake as in the case of taking Hager, God did not hold grudge against Abraham. This is because our LORD is faithful always. We read in the book of Romans (4:16)
Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all Romans 4:16.
5 – Concluding Thoughts
We cannot and should not make a decision for God. We have to wait upon His leading.
Earlier the LORD makes in Gen 12:1-3 saying He will bless Abram. That was an unconditional promise. But Abram could not wait upon God.
How do we apply what we learned in Gen 16 in our life? When we make decisions based on our carnal understanding or wishes, we could end up with serious consequences, which cannot be undone.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him; And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Continue praying for the future of Shekinah congregation. What is His will? What is His solution?
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)
So let us not be discouraged by looking at difficult circumstances. Our LORD is the Divine Enabler. Let us draw closer to the LORD and seek His guidance together as His children.