The Danger of Going Around God
Many read this verse with futuristic knowledge that Isaac would be born and can see the danger of getting ahead of God. However, many times we don't operate with futuristic knowledge in real life so we risk the danger of attempting to go around God--when what we want doesn't occur when we think it should.
Notice the language in the text. Sarai said "the Lord prevented or restrained me". She had the wrong perspective about what God was doing or allowing. Then, she makes the wrong plans. She says "I will obtain ... through/by her". Finally, she gets the wrong promotion or support. "Abram listened or heeded the voice of Sarai". Her wrong perspective lead to wrong plans. Her wrong plans had the wrong promotion. All that lead to the attempt of going around God.
If we want to avoid the danger of going around God, we need to avoid
- the wrong perspective (Keep Romans 8:28 and Philippans 1:6 in mind)
- the wrong plans (Keep Proverbs 3:5-6 in mind)
- the wrong promotion (Keep 2 Timothy 2:22 in mind)
This attempt to go around God lead to a destructive relationship between Sarah and Hagar, Isaac and Ishmael and even friction between Sarah and Abraham. Destruction is the result of manuevering without God. Pride is thinking it can be done without God. Remember, there is a way that seems right to a man, but the end is the way of destruction (Proverbs 14:25).
Let's be careful to avoid going around God so we can avoid destruction.
Let's move according to God's timetable and enjoy the joy of a fulfilled promise.
Created over 2 years ago
