The dream lied buried deep in their hearts. For they held onto it…year after year.
Praying. Hoping. Believing.
Surely, the gift of life does not seem too much to ask. Does it?
And then it happens. God announces that the dream has been freed from it’s deeply burrowed place.
“The Lord took Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky. Count the stars, if you can.” Then he said to him, “That’s how many children will be born into your family.”
Abram believed the Lord. The Lord was pleased with Abram because he believed. So Abram’s faith made him right with the Lord. “ (Genesis 15:5-6)
The vision emerges. Expectation is birthed.
But….
Waiting ensues. Frustration takes root in the place the dreams had burrowed.
God promised to provide.
How long do you wait?
The longing for fulfillment of a dream lingers. The vision was cast. The lips tasted the words of thanksgiving. The seduction for immediate gratification lures. Earthly wisdom speaks into the heart.
lies.
The dream becomes idolotry-worthy of attaining at any cost.
And the consequences commence.
Jealousy. Abuse of power. Confusion. Broken Relationship.
God promised to provide. In His timing and in His way.
If only they could have waited.
If only we learn to wait.
“When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him. He said, “I am the Mighty God. Walk faithfully with me. Live in a way that pleases me. 2 I will now act on my covenant between me and you. I will greatly increase the number of your children after you.” (Genesis 17:1-2)
Human nature hasn’t changed. We see ourselves in the lives of those who have came before us.
God hasn’t changed. We see God’s character through the lives of those who came before us.
Though God blessed Ishmael, we are reminded of the consequences when we don’t surrender our dreams to the One who gave them to us.
God’s question wasn’t directed only to Abraham and Sarah :
How long, oh Lord, how long? I love this perspective friend. Not always in my timing but always God’s timing. I’m in the 31 spot this week.
Steph, I want to return the visit. “If only they had waited.” “If only Eve, and Adam with her, hadn’t bitten.” Oh the IF ONLY’S ….xoxo
I was thinking along the same lines….exactly
“The lips tasted the words of thanksgiving. The seduction for immediate gratification lures. Earthly wisdom speaks into the heart.” Oh, boy. So quickly we want to have our own way. We will MAKE our own way…… Oh, Lord, save us from ourselves! Great post! Stopping by and saying Hi! from spot #28.
I am afraid to surrender my need for multiple contingency plans. I need to trust God that He is working things out, and stop running down the long road of what if’s/ Thank you for sharing.
I can relate to that temptation. Thanks for sharing!