DAY 102 - BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE PROMISE

“...Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.”

Genesis 21: 10

Reading:  Genesis 21:8-21; Galatians 4:28-31; Galatians 5:22-23.

At a great feast held to celebrate the weaning of Isaac, Sarah became displeased with Ishmael because of his mocking attitude. She immediately demanded that Abraham get rid of the slave women and her son.

She had no concern for Abraham’s distress at the prospect of chasing his son away from the safety and protection of his home. This is the terrible consequence of sin, not only that a mother and son are subjected to great danger, but that sin always make a person’s heart hard and unforgiving. The hardening of the heart through the effect of sin is a poison that can corrupt even the power of God’s promises to bless our lives.

God does not stand idly by, but undertakes for Hagar and Ishmael by saving them from certain death and promising to bless Ishmael’s future because he is the son of Abraham. But he does remind Abraham that the Promise made to him would be passed on to Isaac, and not to the son that was born through human planning and ingenuity. Once again God reminds us of the way that He works, by making a Promise and commanding us to believe that Promise.

Like Isaac we are children of Promise, and not recipients of God’s grace by works. Those who keep the law to win God’s approval will always be unfruitful and barren, while those who trust God’s Promise are able to have many spiritual children.

Prayer

Lord forgive me for unforgivness, and save my life from this poison. Thank you for Your promise to save me from death, because I know that I cannot save myself.

FOR THE FAMILY

Engage

Talk together about the power of forgiveness.

Younger kids

You can watch this video together.

Teens

Go through this article with them.