Scripture Reading: Genesis 21:1-21IntroductionWe have all faced many disappointments in our lives.  Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” What kind of joy and prosperity are these? 1. There is deep and abiding joy in a life of faith, rooted in the knowledge of God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises—fulfilled in His own time for His purposes and glory alone (v 1-7).(i)   God is faithful to His covenant promise and fulfilled it. (ii) God does in His time. Hebrews 11:13, “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”  (iii) God acts according to His own purpose and for His glory. Ephesians 1:11–12, “In him we have obtained an inheritance, … according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, … to the praise of his glory.”Romans 11:36, “For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be glory forever.” 2. There is painful separation from the life according to the flesh in our life of faith (v 8-12).Psalm 83:4-6Galatians 4:22-23(i) There will always be a battle without and within us—a constant tension between the life in the Spirit and the life according to the flesh. Galatians 4:29Galatians 5:171 Corinthians 10:13(ii) Resolving the conflict requires us to obediently put away the life according to the flesh, no matter how painful it may be. 2 Corinthians 5:173. As we walk in obedience on the path of faith, God, in His mercy, gently eases the pain of letting go of the old life (v 13-21).Brethren, obedience may be costly, but it is never cold.  The same God who calls us to lay something down is the One who gently reminds us: “I see.  I know.  And I will care for what you entrust to Me.  Let not your heart be troubled.”  Amen.

Ver todos los episodios