Holding Fast to God’s Promises: Trusting in His Timing
From the new birth to the new heaven and new earth, the Word of God is filled with promises for His beloved. Some are absolute, while others are conditional, but all are accessible. We may grab hold of a particular promise from Scripture, perhaps one that God has quickened to our spirit, or even a prophetic word spoken over us. Faith ignites the promise within us—but then comes the battle.
In the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9; Mark 4:1-9), Jesus illustrates the obstacles that hinder the fulfillment of God’s Word. While this passage is often applied to the preaching of the Gospel, it is equally relevant to every blessing God extends to His children. To one, the enemy snatches the word away before it can take root. To another, the word is received with joy, but hardship and persecution cause it to wither. For yet another, the cares of the world choke out the promise, rendering it unfruitful.
The Challenge of Waiting on God’s Promise
One of the greatest struggles in holding fast to God’s word is understanding our role. What do we do when the fulfillment of the promise seems delayed? What happens when it feels like God has forgotten His Word? Like Abram, who was promised to be the father of a great nation (Genesis 12), we must wait upon the Lord.
Abram was 75 years old when he first received God’s promise. In faith, he packed up his family and moved to the land God would show him. Yet, as years passed with no child, he began to wonder if his servant Eliezer of Damascus would be his heir. God reassured him:
“This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” (Genesis 15:4)
Still, the promise tarried. A full ten years passed, and Sarai, weary of waiting, proposed a solution:
“Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said to Abram, ‘Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.’” (Genesis 16:1-2)
This decision produced Ishmael. Even when Abraham later pleaded with God to allow Ishmael to be the fulfillment of the promise (Genesis 17:18), God refused. Instead, He reaffirmed His word:
“No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.” (Genesis 17:19)
It would be 25 years from the time Abraham set out for Canaan before God fulfilled His promise.
Ishmael Is the Child of a Lie
Ishmael could never be the child of promise because he was the product of a lie. Sarai reasoned that “the LORD has prevented me from bearing children” (Genesis 16:2). While she may have believed this, it was a false accusation against God. His plans are perfect, and He executes them flawlessly. To suggest that He had promised an heir but then closed Sarai’s womb permanently was a misrepresentation of His nature.
Ishmael Is the Child of Unbelief
Sarai and Abram’s actions suggested that they doubted God’s ability or willingness to fulfill His promise as He had spoken. Even worse, their plan implied that God was cruel—building up hope only to disappoint. Their reasoning seemed logical, but in reality, their decision subtly declared that God needed their help to accomplish His plan. The enemy’s lies will always attempt to diminish God’s supremacy or sovereignty.
Ishmael Is the Child of Impatience
Unbelief often gives birth to impatience. When we struggle to trust God’s timing, we become anxious, questioning whether He is truly in control. Yet, sometimes it is better to wait in faith than to take matters into our own hands and act in error.
Resting in God’s Sovereignty
Waiting is one of the most difficult aspects of receiving God’s promises. How often do we try to make His promises come to pass through our own wisdom and strength? Time and time again, we are brought back to the realization that our efforts are inadequate. It is by His grace and for His glory that His plans unfold in our lives.
Perhaps it’s time to step back from striving and simply trust Him. Let God be God.