Don’t Push It
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The Life of Abraham: Living Out God’s Story | Don’t Push It
Bible Reference: Genesis 16:1-5
Big idea: Sometimes we can make the mistake of pushing God’s story for our lives.
Don’t Push It
In order to live out God’s story for our lives, we have to learn to cooperate with God.
Gal 5:25
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Pushing God’s story for our lives can result in serious consequences.
In this session we will see 5 warning signs that we might be pushing God’s story for our lives.
#1 When we are Desperate
Gen 16:1
Abram’s wife, Sarai, had not borne any children for him, but she owned an Egyptian slave named Hagar.
After 10 years of not having children, we see Sarai becoming increasingly desperate. This is the first warning that we might be pushing God’s story for our lives. When we are desperate, everything looks like a good idea.
What should we do when we find ourselves in such a place?
Instead of surrendering to our desperation, we have to learn to surrender to the will of God, and trust that He has the best plan for us.
Jer 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
#2 When we are Confused
Gen 16:2
Sarai said to Abram, “Since the LORD has prevented me from bearing children, go to my slave; perhaps through her I can build a family.”
Sarai mistook God’s answer of “later” for a “no”, and as a result she made a decision that would negatively affect many, due to her confusion about God’s plan for her life.
1 Cor 14:33
God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
Instead of acting from a place of confusion, we can turn to God’s Word which will bring clarity into our circumstances. His Word is a lamp to guide our feet and a light for our path
#3 When we are Isolated
Gen 16:2-3
2 And Abram agreed to what Sarai said. 3 So Abram’s wife, Sarai, took Hagar, her Egyptian slave, and gave her to her husband, Abram, as a wife for him.
This happened after Abram had lived in the land of Canaan ten years. In this critical juncture, we find that Abram and Sarai had not included anyone else in their decision-making process. The danger of this is that we can be misled to think that our view is the right view – because it is the only view that was considered. To make better choices, we can learn to do two things:
First, seek God’s counsel. Stay in God’s word and in prayer to make sure that you are aligning yourself with what God is doing.
Proverbs 16:3
Commit your works to the LORD [submit and trust them to Him], And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].
Secondly, seek godly counsel. Find godly, trustworthy people that you will listen to, and consider their advice seriously.
Proverbs 15:22
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
#4 When we are Short-sighted
Gen 16:4
4 He slept with Hagar, and she became pregnant. When she saw that she was pregnant, her mistress became contemptible to her.
Even though it seems plain to us that Sarai’s decision would have led to such a conclusion, we find that Abram and Sarai did not have such a perspective. When we become shortsighted, we will trade future joy for momentary pleasure. God is the God of the future and trusting His leading will lead us to the best path for our lives.
Proverbs 21:20
There is precious treasure and oil in the house of the wise [who prepare for the future], But a short-sighted and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it.
Instead of looking with short-sighted vision, we should aspire to adopt a perspective of wisdom in our journey of faith.
#5 When we are Judging Others
Gen 16:5
5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for my suffering! I put my slave in your arms, and when she saw that she was pregnant, I became contemptible to her. May the LORD judge between me and you.”
Sarai blamed Abram for decisions she made. One last warning that we might be pushing God’s story for our lives – we are judging others instead of examining ourselves.
Luke 6:42
How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
God is unable to work on us if we only choose to see the faults of others. Our priority should be focusing on the process and consequences of our actions, not that of others.
May God lead us to keep in step with Him as we continue our journey of faith.