“And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing.”
Working on cars and doing handy work around the house I’ve come to realize that there is always a right tool for the job and I cannot force things to fit without causing a mess. For example, only one screw is able to fit the right thread and there is usually only one type of screwdriver that would fit that screw. Professionals know this and they make things look easy because they know the right tool, the right part, and how to fabricate it to fit the way it should fit.
Here we find Abraham speaking to God after laughing at Him because he thinks that his wife Sarah bearing a son at 100 years old is crazy. Crazy for Abraham to comprehend and even crazier to actually see this play out. Abraham then does something we are all guilty of all sometimes, we insert our answer to help God out.
He mentions Ishmael and how it would be great if only he was to live under God’s blessing. If you remember, Ishmael was the child born to Abraham through Hagar the Egyptian slave. Not exactly the path that God laid out. We do the same thing. Insert what we think should be the answer and it becomes something we have to deal with that is not always helpful. As a matter of fact, it usually causes more pain than it helps out.
Sarah later tells Abraham to get rid of Ishmael and Hagar and is forced to cut off relations with his son. Ishmael was not the answer God had in mind to start the Israelite people. Many years later, it would be Issac who was born the way God told Abraham it was going to happen.
Inserting our answers and solutions to our problems is not the way God intends. If you are in the middle of wondering when God will come around or needing some direction from God then this is for you. A good friend of mine once said that he needs peace, favor and wisdom to move forward with large decisions. Abraham and Sarah did not use any of these to fabricate an answer to God’s blessing outside of His timing.
You are better off waiting on the Lord rather than building a bridge to nowhere that you will have to cross back over at some point. It is hard to wait and even harder when you see reality telling you that this blessing God spoke of is too far out of reach and you should not expect it to happen.
Isaiah 40:31 says, ” But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Instead of inserting the blessing, camp on this scripture and wait on the Lord. Send those Ishmael’s packing and wait on the Lord because His timing is perfect and His promises are always yes and amen. Enjoy the journey of waiting on the Lord because you never know what wisdom you will walk away with.
Prayer: Lord, I often find myself in a mess of my own decisions and need you to give me peace, wisdom, and favor as I walk through life with you. Help me remember to wait on you and your perfect timing rather than forcing my own way. In Jesus name, amen.
Let It Go 
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