Into Your Own Hands

In their impatience, they took matters into their own hands, creating a terrible family triangle.

Genesis 16:1-16

Reference:  v.2 …so she (Sarai) said to Abram, "The Lord has kept me from having children.  Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her."  Abram agreed to what Sarai said. (NIV Bible)

Explore:  Growing up as the youngest of three girls I was always out to prove that I was as good as the older ones.  A common saying I would proclaim when someone tried to help me in a tricky situation was, "I do it I self!"  It's fair to say I'm fairly stubborn and don't like to be told that I can't do something.  Instead of utilizing the help of those around me I would try to take everything into my own hands.  

Application:  Abram and Sarai had been told, by God himself, that they would be the parents of many, many descendents.  And yet, in their impatience, they took matters into their own hands, creating a terrible family triangle.  It only led to pain and hardship for everyone involved.  I must admit that I often get impatient too.  I like everything to happen promptly and efficiently.  But often that is not the correct timeline.  There are times when we need to act but there are times when we need to have faith and leave things in God's hands.  It's not easy and we don't often know where it will lead, but God's hands are the safest for us to put our hope into.

Prayer:  Lord, often we take things into our own hands.  Forgive us as we strive to place our hope back into Your hands.  Amen.

When have you 'jumped the gun' and taken matters into your own hands?

Genesis