(THE STORY OF ABRAHAM)

CHRISTMAS SERIES

What does it mean to be in a waiting room? For some of us, it might feel like a dungeon or a form of torture, especially when we don’t know what day or time we’re waiting for. Waiting can be frightening because the outcomes we anticipate during this period often don’t turn out as we hoped. When we pray to God, we naturally desire an immediate response. Who wouldn’t want an answer right away? Our impatience can lead us to blame God when we don’t receive the answers we seek.

“Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai.” -Genesis 11:29

Abraham and Sarah, initially named Abram and Sarai before being renamed by God during His covenant of circumcision (as described in Genesis 17), are significant figures in the Bible. Many people treat the Almighty God as a genie who merely grants wishes. Still, He is, in fact, the planner of our future, as stated in Jeremiah 29:11. God knows every detail of our daily lives, understands our capacities, and recognizes when we are truly prepared to receive what we are waiting for.

In the Old Testament, we find the story of Abraham and his wife, Sarah, who were childless. They waited 25 years for a child, enduring numerous challenges and expectations. Ultimately, their journey was one of deep trust in God, believing He would fulfill His promise and bless them with a child.

“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” -Genesis 12:2-3

The Lord promised Abraham that He would bless him and make him into “a great nation.” God assured Abraham that he would be a blessing to many. However, what does God require in return? He asks for patience during the waiting period. God has given them His word that He will provide them with a son, and He wants them to trust Him in this promise of having a child.

Waiting can often lead to frustration, and it’s understandable why many people dislike it. For most, waiting feels like a waste of time and can stir up emotions like stress and boredom. However, waiting also teaches us valuable lessons in patience and personal growth. It encourages us to appreciate what we have in our lives and prepares us for the changes and desires we hope for and pray about. While waiting can be a blessing and a source of satisfaction, not everyone recognizes it as such.

“The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted.” –Genesis 13:14-15

When God makes a promise, He fulfills what He has promised and blesses us even more. God promised Abraham that all the land he could see would be given to him and his descendants forever, although this will happen in the future. Abraham is incredibly blessed because God revealed what will come, providing him with hope. All Abraham needed to do was obey and trust God during the waiting period.

When God asks you to wait on Him, He won’t leave you idle during that time. Instead, He will fill your days with meaningful activities, introduce you to new people to love, and present changes for you to embrace. During this waiting period, the Lord will teach you valuable lessons. Whatever you pray for requires patience; God will equip you for it. The desires you hope for and long for, which you have anchored in God, are meant specifically for you. What you seek is not destined for someone else but carefully prepared and designed just for you.

“Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age.” -Genesis 15:4 & 15

In chapter 15, we see how God laid out His plans for Abraham. He established a covenant with Abraham, who believed in God’s promises (verse 6). God revealed to Abraham the events that would unfold throughout his life. Abraham held onto God’s promises, which were made possible because God is faithful, and Abraham chose to surrender his heart to the Lord.

Waiting requires a complete surrender of the heart. When you wait for something, it demands endurance and readiness from your heart. While we may seek answers from God, not all requests will receive His approval. Therefore, our hearts should be prepared to accept whatever outcome God chooses. Faith is essential for this surrender. As Hebrews 11:1 states, “Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

“On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants, I give this land, from the Wadi  of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates— the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.” -Genesis 15:18-21

God made a covenant with Abraham, promising to give lands to his descendants. This means that not only will Abraham be blessed, but all of his descendants will also be blessed. When God blesses you, those around you will also experience that blessing. It’s not just you who will be happy; they will also share in your joy.

The essence of waiting doesn’t lie in the reward you’ll receive at the end, but instead in the discipline, your heart develops during the journey of this waiting season. May this time of waiting be fruitful as you seek the Lord.