SARAH AND ABRAHAM COULD NOT WAIT

Sunday Morning - February 22, 1998

Text: Genesis 16:2 "And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai."

THE LORD'S MANNER

Isaiah 30:18 "And therefore will the LORD wait [long piercing wait], that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment [determination, discretion, disposing, manner]: blessed are all they that wait for him."

TEACHING METHODS

Isaiah 30:20 "And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:"

WAITING IS RESTING

Psalms 37:7 "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."

STRENGTH GAINED IN WAITING

Psalms 27:14 "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."

WAIT WITH EXPECTATION

Micah 7:7 "Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me."

THOSE WHO WAIT INHERIT

Psalms 37:9 "For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth."

FRUIT OF IMPATIENCE

Genesis 16:11-12 "And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael [God will hear]; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. 12. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren."

 ABRAHAM LEARNED TO WAIT

Isaiah 49:23 "...thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me."