Sermon # 45 - The Two Sons Series

For today’s meditation we will look at Galatians 4:22-23, “Scripture says that Abraham had two sons, one by a woman who was a slave and the other by a free woman. Now, the son of the slave woman was conceived in a natural way, but the son of the free woman was conceived through a promise [made to Abraham].” (GW)

We read about two children, both of whom were sons of Abraham. However, there was a big difference between the two of them.

Those of us who claim to be the children of Abraham must examine ourselves to see whether we are children who live according to the flesh or if we are children of the promise who live by the Spirit of God.

Abraham obeyed God’s call

Abraham lived almost two thousand years before Jesus did, and when Abraham was 75 years old, God called him. The land of Ur from which God called Abraham was a well-established place, but the Lord wanted to bless Abraham in an extraordinary way, and hence He called him out of his native place. In that land that Abraham lived, the people made idols and worshipped them. When God called Abraham, he left his country, his people and his father’s house in obedience to God’s call. God could have blessed Abraham right where he was, but God called him out. Only when Abraham stepped out by faith, did God pour out His blessings on him. Abraham did not know where he was going, but He went ahead trusting in the God who called him out.

If we want God’s plans to be fulfilled in our lives, sometimes we may need to move away from certain people and some places too. Only obedience to God can help us accomplish God’s will, and not our nationality, family background or the wealth we possess.

Abraham did not wait

Abraham was 75 years old when he stepped out of his country, and Abraham and his wife Sarah were childless. When after ten years of waiting there were still without child, and it was at this time that Sarah suggested a plan to her husband. She decided to give her slave Hagar to Abraham so he could bear a child through her, and Abraham also consented. As per their plan Abraham and Hagar had a son, whom Abraham named Ishmael. Abraham was 86 years old when Ishmael was born.

If we want the plans of God to be fulfilled in our lives, waiting is most crucial. We must learn to be patient, and many find it extremely hard to be patient. For instance a person who desires to get married must do so after they have completed their education and secured a good job, so that they can have a happy family life. However, many don’t want to wait and in their haste get married even without completing their education. They later face all sorts of hardships all through their lives. Whatever we desire to do must be done without haste, and only then we will find that things will work out for our good. When we rush ahead of the time, we will be inviting unwanted trouble on ourselves.

The son of promise

When Abraham turned 99 years of age and Sarah turned 89, the Lord spoke to Abraham.

We read in Genesis 17:1, When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am the Almighty God. Obey me and always do what is right. (GNB)

Then we read in Genesis 17:16, I will bless her, and I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will become the mother of nations, and there will be kings among her descendants." (GNB)

We may wonder why God waited for so many years to fulfill His promise to Abraham. The Lord confirmed with Abraham that though he was 99 years old that He would grant him a son, and that Sarah would become a mother of nations. Though they would only have one son, the Lord would multiply his descendants bountifully, and kings would rise up from among his descendants.

Oftentimes when we look at our lives we only have a narrow view, and are not able to see the bigger picture. We may not know all the reasons for God’s delays, because our mind and our wisdom is limited when compared to God’s wisdom. However, when we wait for God’s timing we will be filled with immense joy. The bible teaches us in Proverbs 10:22, “The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.”(ESV) We may think that we have gone way beyond the time to receive the blessings of God, but God is able to do wonders in our lives because He is a faithful promise keeping God. So also when we wait for the Lord, He will certainly bless us, and we will be astounded by His blessings which would be beyond human comprehension.