Let It Go
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.” Ps 143:10 NIV
When God promises you something and it doesn’t happen right away, it’s easy to get impatient, start doubting Him and think He needs you to go to work and make it happen. Abraham did that. God promised him children “as numerous as the stars” (Ge 22:17 NIV). Tired of waiting, he took matters into his own hands and fathered Ishmael with his wife’s maidservant, Hagar. And that’s when his troubles began in earnest. Now, God loved Ishmael and had great plans for him, but Abraham had to let go of him in order to fulfill God’s will. It was one of the most painful experiences of Abraham’s life. So: (1) Refuse to let the Enemy send anything into your life that will undermine what you have been waiting and praying for. (2) Be careful who you take advice from. Fathering Ishmael was a “good idea” Abraham’s wife Sarah had. (3) Because you are willing to take responsibility for your actions doesn’t mean there won’t be consequences, long-lasting ones! Be careful where you lie down; getting up again may not be as easy as you think. (4) There are things you can give up effortlessly, and other things that will take every ounce of grace you’ve got. And it’s especially hard to give up something you’re attached to and see yourself reflected in, like a job you love, a house you’re living in, or a relationship you’re tied to. But when you’ve gone as far as you can with your “Ishmael” and you’re ready to see God’s promise fulfilled in your life, you must be willing to let it go.
January 13, 2013 | Permalink16 Responses to Let It Go
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Donna says:
My marriage is my “Ishmael”. Full of abandonment – abuse – addiction and betrayal. This is not what God has for me – all my life’s training has not been for this! Today I pray that God will give me the strength to break out of this relationship – never to return as I have so many times before. This is truly the hardest thing I’ve ever done – I’m ready to let him go. Teach me to do your will – for you are my God. Loving day 8 of the fast!!!!!!!!!
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Frank Morgan says:
May the God of Peace lead you into a most amazing future.
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Thank you Frank – as far I know your prayer is the first I’ve ever had outside of my own. Tonight’s church service was about peace and I’m believing God for that and the means to get there. Appreciate your response – I am deserving and I am learning that my prayers are so much more than just wishing upon a star.
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cat says:
Needed to hear this so much! I will let it go!
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Antoinette G. of Round Lake, IL says:
Some years ago God promised me and my husband that He would bless us richly, meaning we would be rich, wealthy, and for us not to worry about our children, grandchildren, etc.. Even though He has tremendously blessed our entire family, “The Promise” that me and my husband are stilling waiting on God for is to make us rich meaning wealthy. Deut. 8:18. Now this is our “Ishmael”. It’s been a very long time that we, I and my husband, has been waiting for God to fulfill “his Promise” of wealth to me and my husband and our family. However, similar to Abraham and Sarah, we have tried nearly everything in the book to bring about His “Promise” to us ourselves. Now, just like Abraham and Sarah, we have an “Ishmael” (debt, bankruptcy, mounting bills that need to be paid, etc.) on our hands that we’ve been dealing with trying to make “His Promise” to us happen on our own. But I know that God is not slack concerning His promises to us. He will fulfill His “Promise” to me and my husband, Charles, just like He did for Abraham and Sarah! Heb. 6:10-15, 11:6,11 Praise God that He Is The Promise Keeper!!!! This is the reason, I so believe, that the Holy Spirit led me on this 2013 fast along with countless others online and at Free Chapel. Matt. 6:33. Other family members are also joining me in it. I am so earnestly and honestly seeking God wholeheartedly praying that 2013 IS the year that God fulfills “His Promise” to me and my husband concerning the wealth He promised us. Please pray together with myself and Charles that our faith is increased to the point of pleasing God and to the point that He establishes and brings about “His Promise” to me, my husband Charles and our children and grandchildren this year 2013!!! In Jesus Name I pray, Amen, amen, and amen!!!! Thank You Father God, thank Jesus His Son and my Lord and Saviour!!!!!!!!
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Rosalyn says:
Donna, my prayers are with you. Have you decided what it is you want from this fast? Seek Him. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. While God honors marriage, He doesn’t want you constantly abused. As you seek Him, listen quietly for His voice and direction. He will guide and give You the peace that surpasses all understanding. In Jesus, Name. Rosalyn
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Thany you Rosalyn – don’t know of ever having anyone hold me up in prayer before and with this post I have received 2!!! Gratitude is the biggest word in my vocabulary to express how I appreciate you. I’m believing God on this fast to give me direction and the means to get there. The word has shown me what a husband should strive to be (as well as for a wife) and I am convinced I am within the word to “let go” of my long struggle. My prayers have focused on my forgiveness of him and his actions – but I keep taking it back on since it is proving to be more challenging than simply flipping a switch. Church service tonight was about peace and how best decisions are made when you are in a place of peace. I will try to be still and listen for what the next 13 days may bring for direction – I’m hopeful that it will take me farther than I’ve ever been before. Thinking about being included in your prayers helps me feel a little more empowered – thank you again Rosalyn.
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Heather says:
Thanking God for hearing my prayers and for provision that is already on its way. I give Him thanks for He is faithful to His promises. I will walk by faith and give thanks for His answers and direction by faith. God is good. He is so much bigger than the things that worry me. The Lord is my Shepard, my caregiver, the one who looks out for me and supplies for my needs. I have everything i need in Him!
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grace says:
Let it go,what a word.
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Patricia Brown says:
It is difficult to let something/someone go that you love and are attached to, HOWEVER, IT CAN BE DONE. When you love God more than it, you are on your way. Your future is too important to forsake for someone that don’t get you. Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed.” Sometimes we think the little things we don’t have in common won’t matter, THEY DO MATTER, NOW AND IT WILL LATER. DON’T SETTLE. God wants to give you His best. He will do EXCEEDING, ABUNDANTLY, ABOVE ALL YOU COULD ASK OR THINK. You can do it. LET IT GO. Lay aside every weight…(Heb 12:1)
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marie says:
feel as if you’re speaking directly to me..thank you.
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Canda says:
I have had to learn how to let go, how to stop operating in my own wisdom. I’m finding that trusting God means I worry less. There is absolutely no stress in trusting God with my whole heart. God is faithful!!
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Michelle says:
Amen!!!! Let it go…release it all to Jesus…The promises of God is, “yes and amen”…2Corinthians1:20
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I am so thankful to God that I have the privilege of fasting again this year. I am grateful that @Life Church believes and supports us in our fast. I am still listening to clarify my goals and what I am praying for. Above all Lord, let there be less of me and more of you.
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adom howard says:
May the Almighty continue to bless you
Glory be to God that when we have conceived our own Ishmael He forever remain gracious unto us and still fulfill His promise in our live.im looking up to my God for His promises to be fulfilled in my life in 2013.amen