Don’t Miss God’s Best Posted by Joel Osteen on 5/10/2013 Sometimes when we get in a hurry, we make the mistake of taking matters into our own hands and trying to force things to happen. When we do this, oftentimes, we miss out on God’s best. This is what Abraham and Sarah did in scripture. God gave them the promise that they were going to have a baby, but year after year went by and nothing was happening, so they decided to try to help God out. Sarah came up with a plan. She told Abraham to sleep with one of her maids. That way they could have that baby. Abraham, instead of being patient and waiting for God’s timing, went along with her plan. Sure enough, they had a baby boy. They were very excited. They named him Ishmael. They said, "Look! This is the child God promised us." But God said, "Abraham and Sarah, that is not the child I promised you. That’s something you did on your own." Do you know Ishmael was a struggle to raise? They were constantly having problems and conflicts. There was no grace for him. But understand, what God orders, God will pay for. What God gives birth to, God will always give the grace to take care of it. But when we birth things in our own strength out of God’s timing, then God is not obligated. Fourteen years later at God’s appointed time, Sarah gave birth to Isaac; the child that God promised them. Like Sarah, there will be times in life when things aren’t happening as fast as you would like. You’ll be tempted to try to do it on your own. Maybe in a relationship, the person you’re thinking about dating, you know down deep that they’re not good for you. They don’t treat you with respect, but you’re afraid that you might not meet anyone else. No, if you’ll let go of Ishmael, Isaac will show up. The one God promised you is in your future. The time has already been set. Now be patient and trust God to do it His way. I learned a long time ago that God doesn’t need my help. He’s got it all figured out. He knows the end from the beginning. All we have to do is trust Him. You don’t have to try to force doors to open. You don’t have to try to make people like you or manipulate your way into a friendship or a job position. No, you just keep honoring God with your life, stay in peace and trust His timing. Wait for Him because He will open doors that no man can shut. He’ll bring amazing people across your path. He’ll defeat your enemies and get you to where you’re supposed to be. Don’t go around birthing Ishmael’s when God wants to give you Isaac’s. Trust that He is working behind the scenes and don’t miss out on the very best that He has in store for you! "…Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (Hebrews 6:12, NIV)
Posted on: Sun, 09 Jun 2013 18:14:46 +0000
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