Double-Minded (link)
I want to make a comparison between Abraham’s decision to have a son in his own strength and Christians who use their own strength to accomplish God’s work.
God told Abraham that he would give him a son in his old age. Gen 15:4-6
-A Christian believes God wants them to go on a mission trip, build a church, start a project.
After God made this proclamation to Abraham, God was silent.
-A Christian “hears” from God, and then He is silent.
Abraham began to waiver in his belief and sought ways to fulfill God’s promise on his own.
-Christians do the same. We start to panic when we don’t see God fulfill what we think is His will. This often happens when we talk to others about things we believe God is doing. We don’t see God move, we need to save face so we plan how we are going to fulfill God’s “project”.
Abraham and his wife, questioning God, begin to plan ways to make God’s proclamation a reality. As a result, Abraham took Sarah’s maidservant and she bore a son, Ishmael. Gen 16:2-3
It is important to note that Hagar the maidservant was an Egyptian. In the Old Testament, Egypt was a type of the world, those opposed to God’s people and God’s plans.
-Christians question God and begin to make plans to fulfill His will. They take on the practices of the world to complete God’s work. They will take out bank loans to build a church, send out “prayer letters” to seek support for their mission trip, or pressure believers in “financing” their endeavor, forgetting that the God who calls them, will fulfill it in His power.
Abraham’s decision resulted in division in his household and raised a people who were a thorn in the side of his son, Isaac and his descendants. Gen 16:12
-Christians who pursue God’s work through efforts of the flesh will reap similar results, division in the house of God, a thorn in the sides of believers, shame in the eyes of the world.
We miss God’s blessing.
We practice iniquity.
In what ways are you seeking God’s will in your own strength?
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