In chapter 16 we see where Sarai (Sarah) - Abram's (Abraham's) wife Made a decision to give her maidservant Hagar to Abraham to be His wife. She made this decision based on her understanding of God and what she knew she was capable of, not on who God really is and what He is capable of. This decision brought them much pain. Even though their decision was made by sight and not by faith, God still pursued them and restored them. God named Ishmael wile He was still in the womb, and knew what kind of man He would be and the relationship He would have in the family. The decision affected generations to come and when Abraham was 86 Ishmael was born to them.
In chapter 17 the Lord appeared to Abram and said "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. 2 I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers." He fell face down. He was now 99 years old and we see Him believing God and that day he responded in obedience and his descendants to God's covenants. God knows what he is doing no matter what phase of life we are in. As we respond in faith, then we see the miracle God has in mind.
In Romans 6 we see life in Christ verses death in sin. God is the master of our life and we are to take the position of the servant and serve Him with the things we used to serve the world. We are to use these things for good and God will show us a whole new area of service. He will not eliminate us but restore us and bring to our remembrance everything He has said to you and His original call on your life. He also knows us intimately and as we obey, God leads us to a greater understanding of Him and His intentions. John the Baptist's ministry only lasted 6 months. Is there a limit to what God can do? He said I will do even greater things through you. "It's not the length of time but the quality of your obedience." (Henry Blackaby) 6:22 "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." He looks for a heart that does not overlook disobedience but is willing to be redeemed and restored. You cannot recover what could have been but can take hold of what's going to be.
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