GALATIANS 4:23

“But the son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, and the son by the free woman through the promise.”

I love it when someone promises me something that I know they can deliver. As a full time missionary, when someone promises to support me financially, I put my trust in the Lord to remind them to do just that – begin supporting me. When it is someone I know has the potential to fulfill that promise, it is even more exciting. God promises to take care of His servants. That’s what I am holding on to.

Paul continues the analogy of Isaac and Ishmael in today’s verse. This time he points to the promise made to Abraham and Sarah to have a child. Do you remember the story? Genesis 18:10 says, “He said, ‘I will certainly return to you at this time next year; and behold, your wife Sarah will have a son.’ And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him.” Simple enough, right? But remember they were both advanced in years. This would be a God thing!

APPLICATION

Let’s talk about God things. These are things that happen that can only be explained as God doing them. When that happens, we have the opportunity to bear witness to our Lord. He has given us so many promises in Scripture. Let’s look at a few. In Joshua 1:9 we read, “‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.’” How about Isaiah 40:31? “Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”

I could continue listing those promises. Do a search yourself. Make a list of them. Claim those promises each day. God’s promise to us is to take us to heaven one day. That promise is not because of anything we’ve done, however. It’s all based on His precious Son’s sacrifice for us. As we place our trust in Him, He makes us that promise. And His promises never fail (Joshua 21:45).

Lord, I trust Your promises to come true in my life. I just need to wait on You.