When Our Strength Ends, His Grace Begins

 


Reflection

Sarah was anxious. She had been in the Promised Land for ten years, yet the child God promised had not arrived. Faced with the uncertainty of her circumstances, Sarah decided to take matters into her own hands.

In her frustration, she complained against the Lord. Because He had not yet granted her a child, she attempted to fulfill God's promise through her own human effort by using her servant, Hagar. In doing so, she diminished God, shrinking Him down to fit within the limits of her own small world and understanding. She tried to force God's will to happen through her own strength.

This choice led to a heartbreaking outcome. Once Hagar became pregnant, Sarah was treated with contempt, leading Sarah to retaliate by harshly mistreating Hagar. Remarkably, God did not appear to Sarah in this moment; instead, He appeared to Hagar in the wilderness to comfort her and instruct her to return.

In this story, I see a reflection of myself. Lord, forgive me for the times when waiting for Your promise felt too tedious and fueled my anxiety—leading me to shrink Your greatness and try to accomplish Your will through my own power.

A Prayer of Repentance

Lord, forgive me for the times when, upon seeing the bitter fruit of the "evil seeds" I had sown, I chose defensiveness over repentance. Forgive me for using my position and circumstances to wound those who had hurt me, rather than seeking Your heart.

Thank You for making me reflect on whether I have blamed You, my circumstances, or others for the struggles I face. Wash away my sins and heal those who have been wounded by my actions

Transform me, Lord. Let me no longer be a "Sarah who mistreats," but a "Sarah who is honored as the Mother of Nations." I confess that Sarah’s transformation was entirely by Your grace, and I rely on that same grace today.

Today’s Prayer:

  1. Self-Reflection: Grant me the courage to look within and see if I have displayed an abusive or harsh spirit toward others. Lead me to sincere repentance and help me seek their forgiveness.

  2. Grace for the World: May Your life-changing grace overflow within our church, our community, and across the nations of the world.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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