SCRIPTURE: Genesis 16
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
(Read my reflection from 2008)
Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; so she said to Abram, “The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Abram agreed to what Sarai said. [Genesis 16:1-2]
Shortcut: 1. A more direct route than the usual one. 2. A means of saving time or effort.
God promised Abram a son, but Sarai and Abram come up with a shortcut.
This chapter highlights to consequences… and the consequences are even greater when we realize that modern day Muslims trace their lineage back to Ishmael.
Think of all the historic warfare and bloodshed between Muslims (children of Abraham through Ishmael) and Jews (children of Abraham through Isaac).
But notice also how God intervenes and helps Hagar and Ishmael, even after Abram and Sarai abandon them and try to get around the consequences.
There are no good shortcuts to God’s promises.
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. [Matthew 4:8-11]
God had blessed Jesus as His much-loved Son [Matthew 3:17] which was another way of promising Him the kingdoms of the world [Psalm 2:7-9].
Now Satan offers a shortcut, worship him and Satan will give Him the kingdoms of the world without having to go through the cross – an appealing shortcut!
But Jesus sees through Satan’s trickery, He knows the price of Satan’s shortcut.
Unlike Abram and Sarai, He refuses to bypass God’s plan – even though it is the longer, harder path – and instead chooses to trust God.
What are the shortcuts that we are tempted to take:
- Money-making schemes that will get us cash without the work or effort.
- Bypassing God’s boundaries for healthy sexuality to gain the ‘privileges’ without the ‘responsibilities’.
- Less time with the Lord in prayer and bible-reading, because there is so much else to do.
- Relying on human effort or techniques to grow the church, rather than on devotion to the Lord and living for Him.
- Misrepresenting the truth (i.e. lying) to impress or convince others, rather than letting the truth speak for itself.
But this path is quicker, easier, shows results faster…
Yes Satan, that is true, but the consequences are way too costly.
If we are honest, we have often taken ‘shortcuts’ (choosing paths others than God’s recommended way), and now we are paying the consequences.
This story assures us that God will still work through or around our bad choices and their consequences, but it also warns us from going that way.
As hard and as long as God’s way seems, it’s still the better way!
PRAYER:
Lord, warn me loud and clear when Satan is suggesting a shortcut – it’s not worth it!
This reading reminds me of a prayer – ‘Thank You Lord for everything that You have given me, but I wouldn’t have it if I didn’t work for it.’ In other words, what I have is my doing, not the Lord’s.
This passage is in the same vein. God promised certain blesses. It hasn’t happened and so I will make the promises of God happen. I’m the pilot and God is where in all of this? God’s timing is always the right timing.
Once again we ran out of fuel for the generator. But why do we have power? The city power is on once again, just as we need it. There are a lot of things going on campus this weekend. Who’s in charge? God is and His timing is always right. His way is always the right way. I need to be in step with Him. I must learn to walk with my risen Saviour each and every day. He knows the Way. He’s my Pilot. He makes me GodStrong.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Refrain
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
Refrain
But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.