The God of Second Chances
Reading
Genesis 16:1-6; Genesis 21:1-7
16 Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.3 And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the Lord judge between me and thee.6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thine hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
21 And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken.
2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.3 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.5 And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.6 And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.7 And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.
Devotional
Our journey begins with Abraham and Sarah's story, a powerful testament to God's faithfulness even when we try to take matters into our own hands. Like them, we often grow impatient waiting for God's promises to manifest, leading us to make hasty decisions. Yet, God in His infinite mercy doesn't abandon us. He gives us second chances, redeeming our mistakes and fulfilling His word in His perfect timing. Today, reflect on areas in your life where you may have rushed ahead of God. Surrender these to Him, trusting that His plans for you are good, even when the waiting seems long. Remember, with God, it's never too late for a fresh start.
Genesis 16:1-6; Genesis 21:1-7
16 Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.3 And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the Lord judge between me and thee.6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thine hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
21 And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken.
2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.3 And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.4 And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac being eight days old, as God had commanded him.5 And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.6 And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.7 And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.
Devotional
Our journey begins with Abraham and Sarah's story, a powerful testament to God's faithfulness even when we try to take matters into our own hands. Like them, we often grow impatient waiting for God's promises to manifest, leading us to make hasty decisions. Yet, God in His infinite mercy doesn't abandon us. He gives us second chances, redeeming our mistakes and fulfilling His word in His perfect timing. Today, reflect on areas in your life where you may have rushed ahead of God. Surrender these to Him, trusting that His plans for you are good, even when the waiting seems long. Remember, with God, it's never too late for a fresh start.
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