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DRIVE YOUR ISHMAEL AWAY

Text :  Gen 21:10. 

 *She told Abraham, “Throw out this slave girl, along with her son, because this slave’s son will never be a co-heir with my son Isaac!”* 

After waiting for so long without a child, Abraham agreed with his wife to raise a child through their maid, Hagar. Genesis 16:1-4.

Hagar  bore a child to Abraham when he was around the age of 86, and they called his name Ishmael. However,  this was not the plan of God for them- Abraham and Sarah.

God promised Abraham a child through his wife Sarah and nothing more.

 *When you are impatient to wait for God's promise, you improvise for Him. Note that such improvisions come with huge consequences.*  

At God's own time, He made good His promise to Abraham, and Sarah gave him a child at the age of 100.
Humanly speaking, this is an impossible feat, but our *God specialises in making the impossible possible- learn to trust in Him.* 

After much ado, Sarah could no longer condone the excesses of Hagar and her son Ishmael, and she demanded that they be sent away.

Bear in mind that this is the first born child of Abraham, regardless of his birth circumstances. So this demand didn't go down well with Abraham. 

Surprisingly,  God told Abraham to do exactly what his wife demanded. Abraham was very troubled about what was being said about his son, but God told Abraham, “Don’t be troubled about the youth and your slave girl. Pay attention to Sarah in everything she tells you, because your offspring are to be named through Isaac. Genesis 21:11-12.

Ishmael represents your achievements in the flesh, while Isaac represents your obedience to His Word. 

Whenever God is demanding of you to let go of whatever you hold dear to your heart, don't hesitate to do so, because your promotion lies in your obedience. 

 *God is not a waster of people's time or resources.  If He's demanding something from you, it's because He has something bigger in store for you.*  Let go of your Ishmael. 


 *Bible  Reading :* 

Genesis 21:1-14.

PRAYER FOCUS

1.) Father God, I receive the grace to let  go of my "Ishmael" (be specific) that your promise may flourish in my life.

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