Are You A Hard-Headed Believer?

Posted on September 23, 2007

 

 Are You A Hard-Headed Believer?: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Genesis 20

ONE GREAT TRUTH: God is patient with us as we grow into Christlikeness.

Have you ever had to learn something twice? Some of us have to learn the same lesson many times over. So did Abraham. He’s already blown it once doing the very thing he repeats in this chapter. That tells me God is patient with us as we grow. What were the lessons God wanted Abraham to get?

1.         God Can Handle Anything.

“I know…” God knows the details of our circumstances. We never have to inform God of how bad or scary things get.

               “I also withheld…” God is in control of the physical universe and every process in it.

“suffered I thee not…” God has a permissive will that allows or refuses events or actions to fulfill His greater purposes.

“the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs…” God’s ultimate objective is to protect the lineage of Jesus Christ. Satan would have loved it had we had a reason to doubt that Isaac was born by Sarah, so God temporarily closed up all the wombs in Gerar. He’s in control!

2.         He Doesn’t Have to Have Help.

Abraham had to learn this one the hard way, and he did. First, he lied about Sarah before. Then, he substituted Hagar for Sarah in an attempt to have a child. Now, he lies about Sarah again! But when Isaac is born in the next chapter, Abraham gets it, for in the chapter that follows, he lays down the life of his son while trusting God to provide.

When will we get it?