Stop Your 'Ishmael' and Meet 'El Shaddai'

Genesis 15:6, 17:1

One of the biggest mistakes we make in our life of faith is precisely "trying to help God out." We do pray to God. "Lord, please open a way." But as soon as the prayer ends, I grab the doorknob and shake it myself. Because we think God's clock is ticking too slowly. It feels like God is dozing off, so I try to play the role of an alarm clock. Abraham in today’s text was exactly like that. He believed God who showed him the stars. But before the wall of reality, he created 'Ishmael' using his own methods.

1.    Look at Genesis 15. Abraham was afraid. Because he had no child. At that time, God shows him the covenant method of ancient society. It involves cutting animals in two and passing between them. It means, "If the promise is broken, one will be torn apart and die like these animals." But the surprising thing is, Abraham did not pass between them. Only God, as a 'blazing torch,' passed through alone. What does this mean? "Abraham, this promise does not depend on your ability. I will fulfill it, staking My honor and My life." This is the Gospel. We are not saved because we are excellent. It is because Jesus Christ alone bore that tearing (death) on the cross. Do not add your scribbles to the check God has already signed. Believe that the blessings God promised and His will shall be fulfilled.

2.    However, in chapter 16, Abraham could not wait. He listened to Sarai, took Hagar, and fathered Ishmael. From a worldly perspective and human calculation, it was a very rational solution. But remember. When faith and flesh combine, they give birth not to a 'miracle,' but to a 'problem.' The results you created by using human methods, shortcuts, and worldly tricks because you could not wait for God's timing—those are your very 'Ishmaels.' That Ishmael might look cute right now. But eventually, it will bring discord to your family and become a thorn in your soul.

3.    For a full 13 years after Ishmael was born, God remained silent. Then He appeared to Abraham when he was 99 years old and spoke His first words. "I am God Almighty (El Shaddai). Walk before me faithfully and be blameless." Here, 'God Almighty' is 'El Shaddai' in Hebrew. This does not simply mean a God who is strong, but 'The All-Sufficient One', the God who fills every need. God is saying: "Abraham, you don't need Hagar. You don't need Lot. You don't need your clever tricks. I alone am enough." And God commands 'circumcision.' What is circumcision? It is cutting off the most vital part of a male, the source of human strength. "Forget Ishmael, born of your own strength. Cut off the possibilities of your flesh. Only then will 'Isaac,' whom I promised, come."

Right now, what are you holding onto? Is it God's promise, or is it Ishmael, the alternative you created? God is not someone who needs your help. God wants your 'trust.' Peel off the labels of your past failures—"I am old," "I am too late," "I am ruined." Today, God wants to put a new name tag on you, going beyond Abram (exalted father) to Abraham (father of many nations).

Put down the 'sword of the flesh' with which you tried to solve things by your own strength right now. Instead, come to the place of prayer and receive the 'circumcision of the Holy Spirit' that cuts off the self. Only when I die and the flesh within me is cut off will the work of El Shaddai, the Almighty God, begin. Relax your strength and entrust yourself entirely to God's omnipotence. That is when miracles become common sense.