The Danger of Helping God

So Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram called the name of his son,

whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. Genesis 16:15

I’ve created a few Ishmaels in my life. I’ve set out to help God, do what he seemed unable, unwilling or unlikely to do, and ended-up with an illegitimate expression of my own fleshly intentions.

And the problem with Ishmaels is that they don’t go away.

God promised Abraham a son. He promised that a mighty nation would come through him. But as the years went by and as Sarah’s womb continued to be unfruitful, the two began to wonder just how God might keep his promise.

Had God forgotten? Had he changed his mind? Maybe God meant that the child would come through Abraham, but that he not really specified Sarah. Maybe God needed help.

So one night Sarah has an idea. Imagine this bedroom conversation:

Abraham?

Yes dear.

I want you to do something.

OK honey. What is it?

I want you to sleep with my servant Hagar.

(Pause) Excuse me?

I want you to sleep with her, get her pregnant, and have that son that God promised. We’re past my childbearing years, so we better go to Plan B.

(Pause) OK dear. Whatever you say.

And that’s exactly what Abraham did. The result was an unwanted young boy and a broken relationship between Sarah and Hagar. The result was also the creation of a rival nation with Israel and eventually a rival faith.

Trying to help God, specifically in things that only he can do, can have tragic consequences indeed.

So what has God promised you? What dreams has he written across your heart? What visions has he given you? What blessings has he promised?

Is he slow in keeping them? Does he seem late to deliver? Are you beginning to wonder if he will come through? Do you think that maybe the clock is ticking and that you need to help God?

Friends, God does not need our help, especially in the fulfillment-of-promises category. He promises what only he can give, and he wants you to wait in humble obedience until the time is right for him to provide.

So don’t preempt him. Don’t shortcut his plan. Don’t take matters into your own hands. The results can be tragic and long-lasting.

Sit tight and believe in the God who always comes through.

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