In Genesis 13:16 we find these words spoken by God to Abraham, “for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted.” (Gen 13:15–16 ESV) At the moment God spoke these words, Abraham was a nomad who owned no land. He had no children, and was married to a barren woman. Everything that God promised him was at that moment absent from His life. It would be several years before Abraham would receive even a partial fulfillment of these promises. But his present condition was not his final condition!
Two chapters later, God again appears to Abraham, and says these words: Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” (Gen 15:1 ESV) to which Abraham responds: “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.”” (Gen 15:2–3 ESV) Abraham is still in the same condition that he was when God promised to make his offspring as the dust of the earth—childless! But His present condition is not his final condition! God reiterates His promise, “And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”” (Gen 15:4–5 ESV) This time the scripture adds, “And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” (Gen 15:6 ESV)
We all know the story. When Abraham and Sarah were well beyond the age of childbearing, God began to fulfill His promise by giving Abraham, a son. He went from being childless to becoming the father of many nations! His present condition had not been his final condition!
Sometimes it seems as though our lives are not making the impact that we really want them to make. We feel barren and unproductive. But God has made some promises to us, upon which we can rest, promises like—“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor 15:58 KJV) and “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Gal 6:9 KJV)
Whatever condition you may be facing right now that may be bringing you grief, find a promise of God that applies, trust it, and realize that your present condition is not going to be your final condition! Then patiently wait for God’s timing.
