“And now she’s shattered and heart-broken.” She sighed and looked down. “The thing is this,” she continued, “My friend is sure that God promised it.”
I stood there listening to her telling me about her friend. A friend who had tried to “help” God keep His promise to her. A friend who was now heartbroken.
~ “Helping” God in the Bible ~
In the Bible we also read of people, who were in a similar situation and made the same decision. One example is found in Genesis 16, which tells of Abram and Sarai. God promises them descendants – as many as stars in the sky and sand at the sea. But there is a problem. They are too old.
In order to “help” God keep His promise, Sarai decides to take matters into her own hands. The consequences of this decision have lasted up until this day. Abram and Sarai’s actions caused a lot of hurt. They were hindering God instead of helping Him!
All along God had the perfect plan, but Abram and Sarai were impatient and ultimately didn’t trust God’s timing. These two aren’t the only ones who have tried to “help” God keep His promises. People today do it as well.
~ God Keeps His Promises ~
Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.
Joshua 21:25, ESV
God is faithful. He keeps His promises. He kept them to the people of Israel, and He will keep them to us.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23
If you struggle to believe this, have a look at God’s faithfulness to the people of Israel in the Old Testament. They failed Him, but He never failed them. And then remember that our God today is the same faithful God.
~ Our Responsibility ~
After listening to the story about the broken-hearted friend, I left feeling convicted. When God promises something, He will do it and His timing is always, always better than ours. It is perfect. God sees the big picture. He knows the full plan.
Our duty is to be still, trust, and wait for His perfect timing.
God always keeps His promises.
~ Question Time ~
- Do you struggle with trusting God’s timing for your life?
- Have you ever tried to “help” God fulfill a promise to you?
- How does knowing that the God of Israel is the same God we serve today help you trust Him?
Let me know in the comments below!
Meet the Writer
Sarah Susanna Rhomberg is a young writer who lives in Europe and is fluent in both English and German. When not writing, you will often find her reading or working on the organization of a camp for children – always with a mug of herbal tea at hand. Sarah wants to live her life for Christ and writes to glorify Him. Connect with her through her email list here (hyperlink: https://sarahsusannarhomberg.mailchimpsites.com/) and receive a 5-day Psalm 23 devotional!
Vessels of Honor 