Title: Perfect Your Perseverance/Genesis 16:1-6
Contents Fully Patience / Genesis 16:1-6
God chose Abram and made him the father of faith. When he called Abraham, he gave him three promises. It is a promise to become a source of blessings for many descendants, dwelling places, and all peoples like the stars in the sky (Genesis 12). Abraham believed in it in his unbelief and became a righteous man. In particular, regarding the descendants, God Himself confirmed it through the covenant ceremony (Genesis 15). However, Abraham did not endure until the covenant was fulfilled, causing great tragedy for his family, nation, and all mankind. The first test of patience is the home. This week is the Lunar New Year, the biggest holiday of our nation. I pray that you will see the beautiful fruits of the good works that God started by “perfecting patience” when many family members gather and spend time together.
How can you perfect your endurance?
1. Trust in God's promises and control your impatient mind. (v.1-2)
“...the LORD has not permitted me to produce; please my maidservant and
Sleep with me, last I have children through him.” (v.2)
2. We must trust God's power and choose God's way. (v.3-4)
“Abram slept with Hagar, and Hagar conceived, and she saw that she was pregnant.
When he realized it, he despised her mistress.” (v.4)
3. We must not avoid the position (mission) that God has given us. (v. 5-6)
“Abram said to Sarai, “Your maidservant is in your hand.
I told her to do what was good in her eyes, and Sarai mistreated Hagar… ” (v.6a)
When we have faith, we become righteous. However, it is painful to become a righteous person, but it is only possible through the training of waiting. John Newton, a man of God who realized this truth, said in his later years, "The most precious thing I have found was patience." Even when we think we are no longer hopeful at home, at church, and in society, all we need is to “perfect patience” (James 1:4). God loves you.
"Persevere in patience, that you may be complete and equipped,
so that there may be nothing lacking” (James 1:4).