1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar.
2 So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai.
3 Then Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan.
[Genesis 16:1-3]
God has been promising Abraham and Sarah a child for the last 10 years. Yet, the medical reports aren’t giving much hope. Sarah is running out of patience and hatches Plan B. “Heavens help those who help themselves”, she might have thought.
It’s just a few days ago that God reiterated His promise of giving Abraham and Sarah a child. Hagar isn’t part of the equation. Now, Sarah’s faith is wavering. She wants Hagar to become a surrogate mother. The idea she has hatched seems a good one to father Abraham and he buys into it. It sounds good, but remember good things are not always right.
In case your faith is oscillating between the crest and the trough, I want you to know you’re in good company. We all oscillate at one time or the other, no matter how strong you are in faith. It’s by grace.
This is what I suggest you do. Be sincere with yourself and God. Ask God to strengthen your faith. Someone came to Jesus to obtain healing for his son that was often tormented by demons. The only condition stipulated by Jesus was for the man to believe. Bible tells us that the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” That was enough to attract the compassion of Jesus and He healed the child. (Mark 9:24). When Peter was sinking, he cried out and said “Lord, save me”. Jesus came to his rescue. Again, Jesus prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail. This was because Satan wanted to sift Peter as wheat (Luke 22:31&32). That sounds scary! We thank God that Jesus is still at the right hand of God, making intercession on our behalf. We don’t need to fear the rage and accusations of the devil one bit. Bible says, “Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God. (Romans 8:33&34). If you’re not comforted by this scripture, then I don’t know what else will do. When the enemy shows you your charge sheet, counteract him with the written word and he’ll back down.
May the Lord strengthen our faith in Him. Amen
