What sounds like a good idea may end up badly. Prohibition was supposed to reduce crime, improve health and strengthen moral values by banning the sale, production, and transport of alcohol. Instead, it fueled organized crime. The 21st Amendment eventually repealed it.
God promised Abram children. Years passed and the promise seemed like it would never come true. Again and again infertility emerged as a problem in this family. Wanting a child and waiting is so difficult. Finally, Sarai offered another idea. What if she gave Abram children through her Egyptian slave girl Hagar. One wonders what Hagar thought of this idea. As a servant, she became a pawn to create a family for her mistress. Abram inexplicably agreed to the plan. Remember the lyrics, "Oh what needless pain we bear . . ."
When we are in doubt about a decision, we may wait and pray so that we avoid the needless pain. Waiting on the Lord is one of the most difficult things we ever have to do. Taking matters into our own hands often makes life even more difficult, though. What has God promised us? We can trust his timing today. When we wait on the Lord, he renews our strength. Let's trust him to keep his promises to us.
