GodSprings - February 04, 2016

God’s Plan: Illogical But Best

Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. Genesis 16:1-2 (NIV)

Logic/Reason Vs. Faith is beautifully described by Charles H. Spurgeon using a story: Faith and Reason were often fellow travelers. Faith was a healthy man and he could walk 30 to 40 miles a day without any problem. Reason was more child-like and could only walk 3 or 4 miles. The whole walk Reason complained and griped each step.

One day Reason asked to walk with Faith. Faith said, "Reason you cannot walk with me, we have different purposes." Reason persisted and the journey was begun. As the journey progressed, Reason could not keep up the pace that Faith set. Faith quietly marched onward. Reason discussed all the possibilities and the potentials and lagged far behind.

The two neared a large river. Reason says, "We can never ford this massive stream. Let us wait and build a bridge." Faith waded into the river and sang a song of praise, as the river was no obstacles at all.

Faith and Reason approached a big, high mountain. In great despair, Reason said, "This mountain is too great, we can’t climb this. There is no way we can climb such a great land mass. Let us sit down hear and evaluate this situation."

Faith looks at Reason, and sees his value, so in order not to leave Reason behind, Faith is obliged to carry Reason over the mountain.

There is a lesson we must learn: Oh! what luggage reason can be to faith! We need balance to understand: Faith launches, where Reason is idle.

Sarah was a woman of God. She had seen, time and time again, how God had miraculously provided, saved, and promoted her husband Abraham. But the lack of one thing continued to eat at her: a child. Sarah refused to wait any longer and decided to take matters into her own hands. Her idea was a perfectly legal solution to the problem. She would give Hagar, her servant, to Abraham, and the child Hagar bore would belong to Sarah.

Having a surrogate mother was the logical answer to Sarah’s infertility. But God had other plans. God’s plans are not always logical, but they are the best option.