When I entered Iowa State University and pledged a fraternity, I had no idea the impact of that one decision. It seemed tragic when I got de-pledged in the Spring of my freshman year. With a prepared heart because of what I experienced, I trusted Christ as my Savior after meeting someone in the dorm. This decision changed the course of my life. Most of us are not aware how one decision can make a huge impact. In our passage today, we will see this principle played out in Abram’s life. In the midst of God’s sovereignty, He gives us free will.   

After ten years, the promised son did not arrive as Abram and Sarai hoped. She told Abram to take her Egyptian maid, Hagar, as his wife. Once she conceived, Hagar despised Sarai. As a result, Sarai treated her harshly (Gen. 16:1-6). Conflict and chaos occur in homes when the husband listens to other voices instead of obeying God.  

Hagar fled from Sarai’s presence. When the angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water, she was promised descendants. The angel instructed Hagar to return to Sarai and submit to her authority (Gen. 16:7-9). God graciously meets us where we are at even if we don’t follow God’s plan perfectly or been victimized ourselves. He speaks and meets our physical and emotional needs in the midst of hurt and pain. 

The angel said her son would be in conflict with others and live to the east of his brothers. Hagar called on God’s name and received a vision that she and God saw one another. Abram named his son, Ishmael (Gen. 16:10-15).  God’s sovereignty, human decisions, history and prophesies influence relationships between people group and nations. The Arabs are descendants of Ismael. We are experiencing the effects of that decision today in the Middle East. Abram’s one decision changed the course of history. 

How has one decision made a huge difference in your life? How does that make you feel? 


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