“But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” 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.”” Genesis 15:2-4 NIV
“Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; 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.”” Genesis 16:1-2 NIV
“Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.” Genesis 21:1-2 NIV
Father of life,
We have cloned animals, fertilised eggs in test tubes but we have not created life. Sarah did not believe You, God could breathe life into her womb because it did not happen straight way. As time went on she doubted. So she gave Abram her slave who give birth to a son. But she was jealous and Hagar was cast out along with her child. Her sin caused others trouble indeed! But God still kept his promise in His time.
Sometimes we pray and pray and then put it aside and wonder if it is not Your will for our life. Sometimes something happens suddenly in a surprising way and we have forgotten those prayers.
Your suddenly’s do not always come right away, then they come when the time is right. Sarah needed to be patient and trust in Your promise for years. Help us to be patient and look out for Your suddenly’s and see Your provision and opportunities. And when we pray be patient. You may answer in an amazing way. And You will answer in Your way and Your time.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 6th January 2025
Written several years before his healing miracle Standing on the Promises became an integral part of Russell Kelso Carter life.
Standing on the promises of Christ, my King,
Through eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail.
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord,
Bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List’ning ev’ry moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
Lyrics: Russell Kelso Carter
Although Russell Carter was a professed Christian most of his life, it wasn’t until a crisis with his natural heart that he began to understand the reality and power of Bible promises. At 30, when his health was critical and physicians could do no more, he turned to God for help and healing.
He knelt and made a promise that healing or no, his life was finally and forever, fully consecrated to the service of the Lord. From that moment the written Word of God became alive to him. He began to stand upon the promises of healing, determining to believe no matter what his physical condition, or how he felt. Over the course of the next several months his strength returned, and his heart was healed! Carter lived another healthy 49 years.