Patience and Risk

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Sunday - 9:15 AM Sunday School, 10:30 AM Worship Service

by: Denise Robinson

04/09/2021

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Our devotional series based on the book Climbing with Abraham by David Ramos continues. Last week, we saw how God helped Abraham deal with a "mess" he and Sarah had created, that is, what to do about Hagar and Ishmael. God got into the mess of everyday life to ensure that Hagar and Ishmael would be safe. This morning we focus on another of God's promises to Abraham. 
__________________________
Week 21: Read Genesis 21:22-34 (Patience and Risk)


"A child was not the only promise God made to his servant Abraham. Another key promise was the land. However, up until this point in the story, Abraham has been consistently a foreigner in other people's property. Here that all changes.
Abimelech makes his second appearance into Abraham's story, this time to create a treaty with the growing patriarch. He sees God's favor upon the man and wants to both protect himself and benefit from it. Abraham also wants peace between their groups, but an issue has arisen. One of Abraham's wells had been taken by Abimelech's men. A well in those days represented much more than water - it was their lifeline in desert territory - what allowed them to sustain their flocks and families. Taking one would have been a serious, survival-threatening offense.

Abraham seizes the moment and uses the treaty as an opportunity to gain something even more valuable: a well of his own. Abimelech accepts his offer and the place of Beersheba is founded. Abraham then plants a tree, further cementing his ownership of that piece of land. For the first time, we see Abraham becoming a landowner. He was already rich, but now his new son Isaac has something more than money and servants to inherit; he has a place they can begin to call home.

Sometimes it feels like we wait forever for God to fulfill God's promises and for good things to happen. Abraham had been childless and landless for decades and then, all within one chapter, those pieces began to be fulfilled. God does not forget His promises, and neither should we. Abraham didn't let the blessings of his new son take his eyes off everything God still had planned for him. 
What are you hoping and waiting for? Don't be afraid to make big asks of God and then take big steps for them to come true. Abraham was faithful in two ways. First, by the consistency of his actions and second, by his willingness to take risks. Beersheba was simply the preface to all God was going to do with Abraham's descendants. It would never have happened if he didn't believe in and act toward the promises of God."
___________________________
Takeaway from today's lesson:  God's promises require both patience and action.

Prayer: God, help me to know when you want me to rise up and fight for what you are giving me, and when to hold back and wait on your perfect timing. Help me to accept that you have promises for my life and to trust you in all things. Amen.
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Our devotional series based on the book Climbing with Abraham by David Ramos continues. Last week, we saw how God helped Abraham deal with a "mess" he and Sarah had created, that is, what to do about Hagar and Ishmael. God got into the mess of everyday life to ensure that Hagar and Ishmael would be safe. This morning we focus on another of God's promises to Abraham. 
__________________________
Week 21: Read Genesis 21:22-34 (Patience and Risk)


"A child was not the only promise God made to his servant Abraham. Another key promise was the land. However, up until this point in the story, Abraham has been consistently a foreigner in other people's property. Here that all changes.
Abimelech makes his second appearance into Abraham's story, this time to create a treaty with the growing patriarch. He sees God's favor upon the man and wants to both protect himself and benefit from it. Abraham also wants peace between their groups, but an issue has arisen. One of Abraham's wells had been taken by Abimelech's men. A well in those days represented much more than water - it was their lifeline in desert territory - what allowed them to sustain their flocks and families. Taking one would have been a serious, survival-threatening offense.

Abraham seizes the moment and uses the treaty as an opportunity to gain something even more valuable: a well of his own. Abimelech accepts his offer and the place of Beersheba is founded. Abraham then plants a tree, further cementing his ownership of that piece of land. For the first time, we see Abraham becoming a landowner. He was already rich, but now his new son Isaac has something more than money and servants to inherit; he has a place they can begin to call home.

Sometimes it feels like we wait forever for God to fulfill God's promises and for good things to happen. Abraham had been childless and landless for decades and then, all within one chapter, those pieces began to be fulfilled. God does not forget His promises, and neither should we. Abraham didn't let the blessings of his new son take his eyes off everything God still had planned for him. 
What are you hoping and waiting for? Don't be afraid to make big asks of God and then take big steps for them to come true. Abraham was faithful in two ways. First, by the consistency of his actions and second, by his willingness to take risks. Beersheba was simply the preface to all God was going to do with Abraham's descendants. It would never have happened if he didn't believe in and act toward the promises of God."
___________________________
Takeaway from today's lesson:  God's promises require both patience and action.

Prayer: God, help me to know when you want me to rise up and fight for what you are giving me, and when to hold back and wait on your perfect timing. Help me to accept that you have promises for my life and to trust you in all things. Amen.
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