License to Sin

Ten very long years had gone by since the first time this man had received the promise; ten long years. I’m wondering, how long have you had to wait for a promise to be fulfilled? When you proposed or you were proposed to? Six months? One year? I doubt that it was ten years. At any rate, I’m not a parent nor I’m married, but I believe that these are two of the few things in life a man or a woman desire (at it’s appointed time of course) the most, and in many occasions become very impatient when waiting for it’s fulfillment.

Ten very long years had gone by since the first time this man heard, “I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). The promised son seemed to be delayed. I can imagine Sarai and Abram speaking to each other over dinner saying, “perhaps God is waiting for us while we are waiting for Him? What if God wants us to do something about it? Maybe God needs a little help?

So the next morning while Abram was enjoying a nice cup of non-caffeinated coffee (he must have been SDA), he notices Sarai somewhat quiet. This worries him because he knows that a quiet man is simply a thinking man, but a silent woman is hatching a plan! But finally, Sarai, walks in, and her following words knocks Abram off his seat spilling his coffee all over his chest: “Honey, I’ve been doing some thinking. We know that the Lord has prevented me from having children. So, go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her. Plus, the law of this land gives you legal authority to have more than one wife. So it’s all good in the hood.” Oh my friends, Abraham had just received his license to sin!

Abram’s ears cannot believe what she is saying! “Are you ill, honey? Are you feeling ok? Is it April’s fool’s day? haha you got me!” Sarai replies with a very serious face, “No, honey. I’m not kidding.” “You know”, Abram replies, “I know that I have failed you sometimes, but playing with my head like this is simply cruel. Is this some kind of trick you are playing on me to see if I fall?” But Sarai simply stays silent. “Alright then” Abram answers. “What my baby wants my baby gets. I’ll sacrifice my self. I’ll take one for the team!”

You know, some say that life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you are going to get. But my brother differs. He argues that life is more like a jar of jalapeños; what you do today might burn your rear-end tomorrow. And I must say, I completely agree with him. All of our decisions have consequences. Some deserve celebration and others deserve mourning.

As for Abram’s and Sarai’s decision, well let’s just say that they had to wait fifteen additional years for the promise of God to be fulfilled, caused marital problems between Abram and Sarai to the point that he had to kick his second wife and his own son out of the house, and till this day blood sheds in the middle east between Jews and Arabs because of the little help Abram and Sarai wanted to give God.

Scriptures states that there is an appointed time to everything, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. God certainly doesn’t need any of your help for Him to fulfill His promises in you. He has an appointed time to give the gifts He has fervently prepared for you, because God is the most interested in seeing you happy. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

So, whatever you are going through today, stop and don’t rush it. Learn to wait upon Him because those who wait upon the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Wait upon Him even though it doesn’t make any sense. Even though it seems that He has forgotten about His promise. Even though it’s been too long. You know why? Because “people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Blessings!