For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

The Lord Gives His Promise         

Genisis 15:1-16, 12-18

SUSPENDING “PLAN A”

Herman Cain, the former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza, radio talk show host, and motivational speaker, has suspended his campaign for the presidency. For a time he was raising large sums of campaign money and rising in the polls. But allegations of sexual impropriety and other factors conspired to end Cain’s run for public office. Cain says his candidacy was Plan A for changing the way Washington functions. He says he is now moving to Plan B, which he describes as “changing Washington from the outside.”

STAYING WITH “PLAN A”

Because Abram had no children, he feared that his household steward would be his heir. Then God revealed that Abram would have a son, and God changed that man’s name to Abraham (“father of a multitude”). When the promised son did not come as soon as Abraham thought he should, Abraham implemented his own Plan B: impregnating his wife’s servant girl (Genesis 16). God’s Plan A didn’t change, however. In spite of Abraham’s impatience, God’s plan advanced according to divine timing. The result was the birth of Isaac, the son of the promise. He was the one from whom would come the descendants promised in today’s text.

1. Do you agree with the logic of a Cain supporter who wanted Cain to stay in the race because (as the supporter reasoned) Cain’s personal life has nothing to do with the soundness of his ability to lead?

2. How do we know when continuing with Plan A is a sign of steadfast faith rather than an indicator of stubborn human folly?

3. When was a time your plans for life changed because you found God leading you in a different direction? What happened?

4. When we sense the need to change plans, how can we know whether this is the leading of God?

5. For what life decisions are you now seeking God’s leading?