Today’s Reading:
Genesis 16:1-15
“So, she said to Abram, The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave, perhaps I can build a family through her. Abram agreed to what Sarai said.” (Genesis 16:2)
Plan B is an alternative plan to be put into operation if needed, especially in case of emergencies, or if a primary plan fails. It's advisable in our world to have other plans in case the original plan didn't pull through. It's even advisable that one should not put all his eggs in one basket. Plan B is a contingency plan that helps one out of challenges. In fact, people will call you a wise person especially when you get to the end of the road and immediately you come up with another thing as an escape route. Plan B to a driver is like having a spare tyre in case the original one has problem; one can quickly change it so one will not be at the mercy of people or be running helter skelter. As much as plan B is good and helpful in the journey of life, it's not good in the journey of faith, in our walk with God especially when God has spoken to us over a matter. Please don't be confused, by the time you read this devotional to the end with God's perspective in mind you will understand better.
Abram and Sarai started their walk with God when they were both seventy-five years and sixty-five years respectively. God called him out of his kindred and father's house to a land He will show him (Genesis 12:1). Between Genesis 12 and 16, one could conclude that it was a ten-year journey. Adding ten years to their ages, they would be eighty-five and seventy-five respectively. They have walked and known God for ten years. It's not a joke to walk with God for that number of years, it must have been full of experiences. In Genesis15 verse six, the scriptures say Abram believed God and he credited it to him as righteousness based on what God showed him about what he planned to do for him. Abram had a cordial relationship with God to the extent that the scriptures call him friend of God. With all of these said about Abram, he had no child. Let me quickly take you into the environment Abram was living at that time, several slaves were living with them so there would have been several naming ceremonies (Christening) but the 'Oga' has none. It was a culture that celebrated child birth but this is a man who claimed to know God intimately and there's no child. I see Sarai crying every time, her only prayer point was; Oh Lord, give me a child. An individual who has gone through this stage of waiting would know what l'm talking about here. I experienced that too.
In chapter 16 verse 1, a woman was introduced, an Egyptian slave named Hagar. I'm sure Sarai would have thought about the issue for long though the scriptures was silent about that, but at this point she couldn't hold it, she came up with a suggestion in verse two, since the Lord has kept me from having children, go, sleep with my slave, perhaps I can build a family through her. I see what Sarai said as Plan B. Since the Lord has kept me from having children, since the Lord decided not to give me children then I think there's a way out. She came up with alternative, another route of raising family for herself. Abram also concurred.
Every move out of the original plan of God for a man's life is a Plan B which will lead to disaster in end. The scriptures say there's a way that seems right to a man, but the end is destruction. When God speaks to you about your destiny, his plan and purpose, he doesn't expect you to have a plan B, it's just the only plan he has given you that he wants you to follow. Faith means following God even when you don't understand. When it appears as if what he told you is not manifesting, and time is going please wait patiently. Any attempt to take a plan B will lead to calamity. The plan B of Sarai and Abram has landed us into the troubles the whole world is battling with now. Whatever decision you are taking will not only affect you but generations yet unborn. Have you taken up Plan B when it seems God is coming late? Repent now or you are thinking of taking another route to fulfil His purpose for your life, please don't do it.
JAMES ALADE
Prayer:
Father, I thank You for sending me this warning, in Jesus name.
I receive grace to wait patiently upon God, in Jesus name.
Every alternative route l have taken; God have mercy on me in Jesus name
Every injury l have sustained when I took another route, oh Lord heal me today in Jesus name
Arise over our leaders and help them to stick to your original plan for this nation in Jesus name Amen.
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