January 11, 2013

Faithful Friday #2

Written by Larry Stockstill
The importance of patience in prayer and in life cannot be overemphasized! Abraham lived most of his life patiently believing that God would fulfill His promise to give him a son. In his old age, however, he succumbed to pressure from his wife to have a child by her maid, Hagar (Genesis 16:2). Abraham hearkened to the voice of his wife instead of giving her godly direction-a choice that proved to be a historic mistake.

Ishmael has come to symbolize the fruit of impatience. When you do not believe that God has heard your cry in prayer, you take matters into your own hands and create situations that you cannot successfully bring to a close. If you truly believe that your Father has seen you and heard your prayer, why struggle to come up with your own solution? Boldly assert as did Hagar, "I have seen the One who sees me!" (Genesis 16:13).

Isaac means "laughter," so you may as well keep laughing until your "Isaac" shows up. Ishmaels come quickly, but they never go away.
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I was sent the short devotional above earlier in the week and man, did it strike a cord. Patience in prayer. How hard that is to grasp. I often pray for patience, but get fed up waiting for it. Oh, the irony.
I function on "me" time more often than on God's time. I come to Him expecting my prayers to be answered when I want them - not delayed for days, months, weeks, years or even in a different method.
But, isn't that great news? God working on His own timing and in His own way?
The answer: YES!
When I trust Him completely and give Him my faith, love, gifts, hands, heart and every aspect of me, it will bring glory to His name.
I don't want to be an Ishmael. I want to call out "I have seen the One who sees me!" (Genesis 16:13). For I know the Father and I want His name to be known and shown through me, his servant and daughter.


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13 comments:

  1. Sorry, the link up will be up soon!!

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    1. No problem dear! I seriously love this and couldnt wait to write again. ;)

      Happy Friday!

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  2. Patience in prayer is hard for me too. Have you ever read the book, "Too Busy Not To Pray?" I just loved it as I read it during a time I felt like I wasn't praying at all or in the right way. But I think that for me, growing up in the world of Christainese, I tend to overcomplicate prayer.

    Thanks for this post! Great thoughts happening in my head this morning!

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    1. Hey Jess! I have heard of it, but havent read it yet. I will definitely check it out. Thanks dear. Love you dear sister. :)

      Clara

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  3. Hi there! I'm coming from Sippy Cups and Pearls. Your blog looks like it will be wonderful to read. :)

    New follower - Liz
    www.lifeasliz.com

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    1. Hi sweet Liz! Thanks hun - glad you stopped by!
      Clara

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  4. Your blog is BEAUTIFUL! I am so glad you found me! This was such an encouragement to reflect on how I am doing on patience. Oh dear, I have so much to learn but am so thankful for the grace of our Savior that is faithful to me!
    Have a great weekend :)

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    1. Thanks Megan! I am glad it was an encouragement - I need daily grace from God to even make it thru the day! Have a wonderful weekend too!

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  5. i love this! and HIS ways are always higher than our ways!!

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  6. Hey thanks for stopping by. I loved reading this!

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  7. Thanks for stopping by my little Blog Tips blog. Have a great week.

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