Genesis 16, 17, 21, 25; 1 Chronicles 1; Romans 9:7-9; Galatians
4:21-31
Abraham releases
Ishmael
Abraham and Sarah had no children. Sarah fell
back on the custom of giving her slave girl Hagar. The plan did not work. The
child Ishmael would become the brunt of much resentment.
Abraham had good intentions when he
fathered Ishmael. He needed an heir; none was forthcoming, since Sarah was
barren. Hagar could be a segregate he reasoned. After all, the Lord had made a
promise to Abraham, but He was being slow in fulfilling that promise. Maybe God was not keeping His promise, so
thought Sarah. Sarah would solve the
problem of her bareness by herself, “Go,
sleep with my maidservant!”
Abraham
wanted a quick solution to his problem. It didn't work. We
can come with our own agendas, plans and ideas. They may or they may not be in
keeping with God’s perfect plans for our lives. Sadly, our best intentions and
efforts aren't ever good enough to save us. Knowing we are helpless before God
can be quite humiliating and humbling. We want to be in control. We will do
just about anything to avoid having to depend on someone else. We would much
prefer to have it our way. But this is the not the right way of coming before
God. Reconciliation will only happen when
we trust in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Savior.
Lord Jesus
Christ, before whom all in heaven and earth shall bow, grant courage that Your
children may confess Your saving name in the face of any opposition from a
world hostile to the Gospel. Help them
to remember Your faithful people who sacrificed much and even faced death
rather than dishonor You when called upon to deny the faith. By Your Spirit,
strengthen them to be faithful and to confess You boldly, knowing that You will
confess Your own before the Father in heaven, with whom You and the Holy Spirit
live and reign, one God, now and forever.
Schnorr
von Carolsfeld Woodcut used with permission © WELS
Collect for persecuted Christians, Lutheran
Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
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