OTC Devotion: Fast Track Week 3, Day 3

Genesis 21 is both inspiring and tragic. It's inspiring because God did exactly what He promised to do. He delivered a child to Sarah as He promised. There is a lot of imagery in the story of Abraham, Isaac and Sarah as compared with God, Mary and Jesus.

• Both Mary and Sarah were unlikely candidates for motherhood. One had never been married. The other was too old for childbirth. Yet, both became pregnant by the plan and power of God.
• Abraham offers up his only son on Mt. Moriah (the place where the temple would be built and Christ crucified). He is spared by the miraculous provision of a ram. Jesus (the lamb of God and the only Son of God) is offered up that He might be a blessing to the world.
• Through Abraham, the word of the Gospel was meant to reach the nations. Through Jesus, it did.

I like reading big blocks of scripture, it helps me see God's plan unfolding. It's a like a map to me. When I'm driving on the road, I can see alot of beautiful details but I don't get to see the destination. When I'm looking at the map, I can see how the plan unfolds. I think we should read both smaller portions and larger portions. I just like seeing God move in miraculous ways, unfolding His plan and moving us to a bigger destination.

I can be impatient. I want God to fulfill His promises now. I want Him to lead me to the destination now. I always used to crave leading. I wanted to jump into leadership positions from the very beginning. I would envy those in charge. When I left college, I took a call that gave me a great first start. I was always looking to what was next. What could I do next?

Now I can see the wisdom in God waiting. Abraham had to grown in his relationship with God. He had to be refined into obedience, wisdom and leadership. Too much responsibility from the beginning would be disasterous. I can thank God now that He waited.