“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” – Proverbs 3:5-6

Yesterday we learned that at 75, God called Abraham to leave his father’s homeland to a land where He would show him. It was a passage about Abraham’s obedience and early steps into God’s purpose. In spite of his social status and riches, He regarded God’s direction for his life as the ultimate guide, he does not lean on his understanding, he surrenders all to God.

The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “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 12:1-3

There were twenty four years between the time of his call and the time Isaac, the promised son was born. During that time, Abraham’s family grew smaller. His father died, his nephew Lot, left him to live in Sodom. All he had was his wife, Sarah and an Egyptian servant, Hagar. Under these circumstances, it looked unlikely that God would redeem His promise. Sarah, in a bid to move the hand of God, offered Hagar to Abraham. The old man laid with Hagar and they bore a son, but God was not pleased. That is not the son He promised.

More often than not, the promises of God are accompanied by intense struggle, trial and tribulation. Mary faced a lot of stigma for allegedly getting pregnant out of wedlock, this was after an angel of the Lord had called her “blessed art thou among women.” David was instructed to go back to tender sheep in the wilderness after being anointed to be King of Israel. There are many references in the bible that support this claim, and of all those stories God kept His end of the bargain. Even with Abraham, who was compelled to bear a son with his maid. Today, Mary is revered for being the earthly mother of Jesus. Abraham is considered the Father of Faith and David is known as a man who was after God’s own heart.

It seemed clearly that the circumstances surrounding these figures did not overcome them nor overturn the decision of God concerning their lives. It is important that we learn this about our God, “while we are faithless, he remains faithful.” God’s promises are Ye and Amen. If you have difficulty accepting the promises of God because of your circumstances, look at the figures named in the above. They are made mistakes and faced worse odds, and yet God saw them through. He will do same for you if you remain in Him.

I pray that anything hindering us from focusing on the promises for our lives is destroyed in Jesus name, Amen.