warm-up

What’s the longest time you’ve waited for someone to arrive in an appointment? What happened?

Do you consider yourself a planner? Do you like making plans?Why or why not?

Share one dream you had as a child.

word

¹⁵And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.” ¹⁶I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” ¹⁷Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” GENESIS 17:15-17

Throughout his life, Abraham was continually reminded of God's promise to him—that he would be a great nation and have numerous offspring. But the waiting challenged his faith. Especially today, where people prefer everything to be quick and easy, waiting is a reality and a great challenge we have to face. Today, let's look at Abraham's life to see how we should respond while waiting.

1
Wait even when the waiting is long.

Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” GENESIS 17:17

The Lord gave the promise of an offspring to Abraham when he was 75 years old (Genesis 12:1-4,7), but Sarah was only able to bear a child 25 years after this promise was given. In spite of the long period of waiting, Abraham believed God and continued to walk with and obey Him. Even when we don’t see the fulfillment of the promise yet, let’s continue to seek and obey Him and trust that His timing is perfect. This time of waiting is when we can grow deeper in our relationship and faith in Him. Share about a time you waited on the fulfillment of God’s promise to you. How did your faith grow in that waiting time?

2
Believe even when what you are waiting for seems impossible.

Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” GENESIS 17:17

Abraham and Sarah received the promise of a child when they were considered physically incapable of having one, but God showed that He can make the impossible possible with His power. When God calls you to wait for the impossible, trust and obey His Word, just as Abraham did. Every Word He says is true and will accomplish His plans and purpose (Isaiah 55:11). How does knowing this encourage you to believe God for the seemingly impossible things in your life?

3
Embrace God’s plan when it is different from yours.

God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.” GENESIS 17:19

(Read also GENESIS 17:20,21.)

Abraham tried to fulfill the promise by having a son through Sarah’s maidservant, Hagar, even when God told him that He will give him descendants through his wife, Sarah. As we wait on the promise of God, it is tempting to try to “help” God fulfill the promise using our own ways and resources. When God reveals His plan, we should respond in faith, trusting God and submitting to His plan even when it is different from ours. Although His plan may seem impossible, He will come through. Recall a time when God was leading you to a direction that wasn’t your original plan. How was your faith built during that time?

application

Are you having difficulty in your walk with God while waiting on Him? Are you having doubts about God’s promise for you? What verse from the Bible can you hold onto?

What is one promise from God that you are claiming in your life right now? How is God calling you to respond while waiting for that promise?

Do you have a family member or friend who needs to be encouraged with God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promise and to grow in faith this week? How can you encourage him or her to continue to grow in his or her relationship with God and persist in faith?

prayer

Thank God that even though you may have to wait for the fulfillment of His promise, your relationship with Him is enough to complete You. Thank Him for His faithfulness to fulfill His promise and plan in your life.

Pray for God to give you the grace to walk with Him even when the waiting is long. Pray that God will give you greater faith to believe for the impossible and trust His Word.

Pray for God to show you people around you who need to know that God has a plan and promises for them and that He is faithful to fulfill them. Pray that God will use you to encourage them to wait for His timing and His power.

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© 2018 by VICTORY®
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Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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