For a couple of years we had our house on the market. There were times that we got frustrated with the slow market because of the economy. When I got sick we really felt like it was time to move. There were always boards to replace on decks. The stairs were difficult for me at that time. While I had loved it there we knew it was time to move. We were in a different season.
I began asking God to sale it but quickly changed to thanking Him for selling the house when it was the right time. I also began thanking Him for the perfect place He was preparing for me. When we got a contract Mike told me to go look for a house. Mom had been upset that it would too stressful for me to move. No one was building in this economy. When I went looking I found a ten year old cottage style neighborhood that I liked where the front yard would be taken care of and the backyards were small. The builder had been given three lots to build on and this house was almost finished. It had the very things I wanted and it was brand new! And the builder was a friend of mine and had custom built a house for us in the past. When I asked the realtor to look at this house I was told that it was not for sale and it had been taken off of the market 3 months prior. I was very disappointed.
Genesis 15: 4-6, "Then the word of the Lord came to him: 'This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.' He took him outside and said, 'Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.' Then he said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.'” Abraham was a friend of God's and the Lord promised he and his wife, Sarah, that they would have a son. While Abraham believed God's promise after years of disappointment Sarah wanted to force the issue. She told Abraham to take her handmaid, Hagar, as his wife so she might bear him a son.
A heavenly messenger told them that they boy would be a wild man. Ishmael was born. 24 years after God promised, He performed a miracle for Sarah and she got her child. Abraham was one hundred years old when Isaac was born. The promised son. We know the end of the story but Abraham and Sarah had to doubt after two years, ten years. But I am sure I would have thought He changed His mind after twenty years. I mean at 100 years old I would have laughed too! I can't imagine still wanting that promise fulfilled 24 years later.
Ishmael was jealous of Isaac and mocked Isaac. Sarah was a typical mother and told her husband, "Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac." Genesis 21: 10 This saddened Abraham because Ismael was his own flesh and blood. God assured Abraham that He would make Ishmael a great nation. Abraham told Ishmael and Hagar goodbye.
Ishmael was born out of impatience of Abraham and Sarah. They tried to speed up God's timetable. Things would have been much easier if they would have waited on God's plan. God always performs His promises, but always in His own time! Psalm 27: 14, "Wait on the Lord be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine hear. Wait, I say, on the Lord."
God promised Abraham descendants as many as the stars. Genesis 15: 4-6, "'Look up into the heavens and count the stars if you can. Your descendants will be like that - too many to count!' God has kept His promise and millions of children have come forth from Abraham.
So what happened to that brand new "perfect" home? I am living in it. I called him that night and after some investigation he told me it was a "computer glitch" but I knew better. God had saved this house for me. It is hard for us to remember God's timing is perfect and He has the best plan!
Ecclesiastes 3: 1, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." "God has perfect timing. Never early, never late. It takes a little patience and a whole lot of faith....but it's worth the wait!" unknown
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