August 9, 2026

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

““Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.’” (Genesis 16.6)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

Who among us hasn’t made a decision we thought was best and then, sooner or later, came to regret it? It could have been a job, a relationship, a purchase or anything pondered and considered to be good for ourselves, others or both. It may be as simple as something to eat or a movie to watch or sleeping in because the day seemed too hard before it even started. Many times, the decision was made with the best of intentions. We may have even weighed the plusses and minuses, advantages and disadvantages. We may have even felt ourselves leaning in the “are you sure” or “that seems risky” direction. We did it anyway. Then the moment of truth arrived and we say to ourselves “What were you thinking?” It happened for Sarai. Hearing the promises and covenant God made with her husband Abram, which would have been promises conferred upon her as well, the question arose for both of them. The question was “How?” When Abram asked God “How can I possess it?” there is no doubt in my mind it wasn’t just about the land and property. It was about his legacy. He said so. He had already proven he was a capable protector and defender. He had to make some difficult decisions which motivated men to follow him into battle. They would be some decisions that would cost many their lives. They would not live to regret them. They died for what they believed in. What did they have to show for it? What would Abram have to show for it if he had died in battle? He and Lot would have been lost? Neither had children to pass on their legacy and bloodline for future generations. Abram asked the question and God answered. As incredible as it may have seemed at the moment (he and Sarai were childless still), God promised. How much we want to believe and trust in God’s word and promises. At the same time, we still see the world, our world, through worldly lenses and trust more in ourselves as a tangible reality than to trust in God in faith.

So, the decision was made and accepted between Abram and Sarai. Set aside any thoughts of altruism. Abram wasn’t doing it because it would satisfy Sarai’s need to be a mother and provider of the promised future for Abram by which she would benefit. Sarai wasn’t doing it because she could feel successful in bringing God’s plan to fruition as if she were truly in control. Nothing ever is as easy nor as simple as it seems. Abram agreed. What was he thinking? Hagar got pregnant. What was she thinking? Sarai got confirmation it wasn’t Abram but her. Now what was she thinking? Did Abram regret? Did Hagar? Did Sarai? Hagar was caught in the middle. She could not regret the child in her womb, she went willingly. Abram and Sarai are literally and figuratively on the outside looking in. What had been done could not be undone. Guilt, fear, shame, remorse, regret and how many other emotions of failure were experienced. What does Sarai do? She puts the blame on Abram. Of course, he should have said “no” and affirmed his love for Sarai and his faith in God who had never failed to provide. Now what was he to do? What would we do in that situation? Or in any situation where we find ourselves making a decision that changes the course of everything? Trust in ourselves and our best laid plans? Trust in God and believe in His promise?

As for me, it was past time for Abram to stop acting and be a man after God’s own heart. I put this whole incident in the same sad category of Adam as he stood “passively” by and watched as Eve and Satan, the cast out from Heaven Lucifer posing as the talking Serpent, engaged in an ungodly dialogue. I remember reading someplace, “There are no weak women, only weak men.” And while may want to argue the point to some extent, I must concur that there are too many weak men in the world. And by this I certainly mean weak in their relationship to God. Of course, I could say the same for women. It is for that reason Paul would write about men submitting themselves to God through Jesus Christ who is the head of the body. Equally women should submit themselves to their husbands as unto the Lord. How we see the bitter fruit born out of not acting in submission growing more bitter with each passing generation. Though Abram may be called “the father of faith,” he penchant for acting unfaithfully to God, especially as it comes to the women in his life, might lend itself to the title of “father of the fatherless.” Woe be it to all men who act this way! But, women are not off the hook of responsibility. They are out of one flesh and their mission and purpose as part of that body is to keep the head, the husband and father, connected to God. This does not happen by simply being a friend (and how many parents do we hear desiring to be friends with their children? and it may well be an extension of being friends with each other and not one body relating together to God their creator.) Abram did wrong. He was not the sole perpetrator. However, his actions led to unfortunate situations leaving God to have to rectify the blunders of His people. It continues to this day…sadly and unfortunately.

TODAY’S PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness endeavor, but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.