Sons and Daughters of Promise

In Sunday school we used to sing the song, "Father Abraham" which is one of those hokey-pokey-move-all-your-limbs-and-flail-about songs, but the words, at least, hold some meaning: Father Abraham had many sons and many sons had father Abraham. I am one of them, and so are you, so let's all praise the Lord. I think about what it must have been like for Abraham to live 100 years, faithfully believing in the promise from God that he and Sarah would bear children, yet as he grew older and older, still believing all the while. Sarah questioned the promise at the point of its delivery, but Abraham never did. However, before the promise came, there were 99 years of struggle for Abraham because he and Sarah wanted a son. From that struggle, Ishmael was born to Abraham, not of Sarah, but of Hagar, the handmaiden. Instead of turning to God, Sarah and Abraham made their own way to get their son. Even though it was Sarah's idea, she was not pleased and the struggle continued, until she was 90 and finally bore a son of her own: Isaac, who became the first in a long line of very important descendants. Generations later, Paul writes of this in Galatians 4:22-31, where he uses the struggle of Abraham and Sarah as an allegory for the sonship of God's children. Ishmael was a child born of the laws of humanity, but Isaac was supernatural, because he was the direct result of a promise from God. So it is through the fulfillment of God's promises that we are free to be his children, not by our own merits or actions, not by the law, which represents our attempts to do what we see is right. "31 So, brethren, we [who are born again] are not children of a slave woman [the natural], but of the free [the supernatural]." This is wonderful news, of course, but what is even more wonderful is the fact that 100 years of struggle for Abraham and Sarah not only became the nation that birthed Christ, but also became an illustration of our freedom in God's promises. Paul used the story of Abraham and Sarah to encourage the Gentiles that Jesus was their answer. Next time you are going through hard times, consider that one day your struggle may become an illustration of freedom for someone else. God can use those who honor him through their suffering to encourage those who suffer. Rest on the promises of God and you shall inherit the nations. Daddy, Thank you for the opportunity to struggle. Even though it seems difficult at the time, we know you have it figured out. Give us the wisdom to look up when we fall down so that, through our faith and your faithfulness, your gift of freedom would shine through. Thank you that you make all things work together for the good of those who love you and are called according to your purpose. Help us to continue to honor you through all things: when the living is easy, and when it isn't. Please, God, may we live so that you may use us as illustrations of your glory. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen