Can you imagine the celebration in the camp of Abraham and Sarah when their long-awaited son was born? The story is found in Genesis 21 and it tells us that Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.

Having waited so long for a son and heir to be born, you can be sure that the special celebration that took place when he was weaned was really something! Then, in the midst of such joy, comes great pain.  Abraham’s mistake in listening to his wife’s counsel to have a son via her maidservant Hagar finally bears fruit and begins to unravel the “family”.  Hagar’s son Ishmael is seen by Sarah, mocking Isaac and her anger knows no bounds.  Sarah demands that Hagar and Ishmael be banished from the camp and Abraham, although heartbroken, is instructed by God to comply with her demand.

What problems we bring upon ourselves when we act on advice from others that disagrees with the plain counsel of God! We are always free to do so – God gives us the freedom to choose – but what a price we can sometimes pay.  The lesson I take from this story is: Never camp beside failures and bemoan our mistakes. When we fall we need to repent, seek God’s forgiveness and move on! There is life beyond failure and success beyond mistakes!

Have a great day!