Ishmaels

by Skye Erickson

Dear Sisters,

Shalom! Our family has felt the abundant blessings of the Lord and we thank Him from our hearts for the power He gives us to live lives pleasing to Him and separated from the world. The devil schemes to take away the blessings of our souls, and it is often after we have received rich blessings that we have the most severe attacks from the devil. He will do anything to take away our joy… “Let no man take thy crown.”

I was really blessed with our sermon recently and wanted to pass on that blessing to you, God helping me. Our main passage was in Genesis 16 and 17 about Ishmael. Abram (later renamed Abraham) was promised by our Lord that his seed would be numbered as the stars in the sky. Yet they doubted as the years passed and Sarai was still barren. In chapter 16 we read about their unbelief and the result of taking things into their own hands. Ishmael was not the child of promise and naturally, problems arose. In chapter 17 there was a conversation between the Lord and Abram, in which Abram cried out, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before Thee!” Can’t you sense the paternal love and years of desire all wrapped up in that plea? Couldn’t you picture 13-year-old Ishmael as the pride and joy of his father? But he wasn’t the child of promise, and God wouldn’t accept him in place of Isaac.

Many people today profess Christianity, yet Jesus isn’t very “popular” (I dislike using that term, but use it for lack of a better word), even among them. There is too much idolatry in modern America. People have their own gospels. They have their Ishmaels. They cling to a little bit of the world, unwilling to give Jesus the full reign in their hearts. They trust in their own understanding and doubt God.

“Oh, that Ishmael might live before Thee!” What are your Ishmaels? Do you have an undivided love for God? Do you passionately yearn and seek after HIS pleasure, His glory—alone? Or do you cling to your own way? Do you have your own desires? Do you have your own dreams that you can’t bear to give up?

I’ve had several Ishmaels myself. We all do. One Ishmael in my life has been my future. God has planted in the heart of almost every young lady the desire to grow up, be married, and raise a family. Especially as homemakers-in-training, we have a tendency to almost expect that, and I believe that hinders many a young woman from simply trusting and keeping her eyes on the Lord. It hindered me. I daydreamed and hoped and desired. And God said, “Delight thyself in ME, Skye.”

Let me assure you that the process was neither quick nor easy. The joy and delight of the soul came slowly—through the trials & tests of life, wind & waves, bumps & bruises—and the dying. But the Lord was faithful and “mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4) He brought me to a place where I desired His will far more than my “empty dreams of earth”. His favor, His smile was essential to my life…and the Ishmaels had to go. And I couldn’t pull the strong hold down on my own. It was God. It was His love that wooed and won me. It was His mercy and grace and strength that enabled me to lay it down at His feet.

He wants to do the same for you. He wants to be #1 in your heart. He wants to be your best Friend, Guide, Confidant, and Lover. “And I will betroth thee unto Me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto Me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto Me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.” (Hosea 2:19)

Many desire the fullness of the Lord and yet don’t understand why they seek and never find. They aren’t satisfied with where they are. They want to climb higher, yet they make very slow progress. And sometimes they give up out of discouragement, thinking perhaps God doesn’t have more for them. But He does. I believe that many people are making their own beds; they want the Lord’s way, but can’t give up their Ishmaels. “Oh yes, not my will Lord, but Thine be done…but what about this, Lord? Surely You won’t require that of me!” Many go through life not consecrating their wills and are therefore constantly frustrated. Many girls don’t give their desires to be married to the Lord, and their marriages aren’t as blessed. Or other girls give that desire to the Lord saying, “Oh yes, Lord, I am willing to be single…but if I do ever get married, I want a man who is 6’2″ with dark hair and handsome features.” (Some of you may not openly acknowledge this, but it could be a tucked away Ishmael, waiting to be revealed under Christ’s light.) Oh dear sisters, God wants it all. If we want to have God’s full, abundant blessing on us, we have to give everything over to Him. And although it may seem very painful at the time, you’ll look back and think, “Wow. That wasn’t too hard,” because the joy and satisfaction you’ll receive in Jesus will be exceedingly greater than what you asked for or thought of. God’s way is far better than ours! May we each be able to pray with David, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts” (Psalm 139:23)—allowing the Holy Spirit to try and test our love.

Isn’t it a precious privilege to be able to go to Jesus? To make Him our best Friend? To tell Him all and receive His Word and counsel? There have been many new decisions and tests recently in my life. Many great blessings as well—true “sightings of the King.” I feel the Lord leading me to new places, new blessings, and new tests. And I ask for your prayers in that I would go just where the Lord wants me to go. Wherever it may be, I know that therein lies the place of rest, joy, and peace—because God will be there with me, holding my hand, and ever leading me Heavenward.

Yours most sincerely in Jesus Christ,
Skye Erickson

This article was taken from one of Skye Erickson’s uplifting and edifying monthly e-mails, and published in the YLCF Journal #24, Summer 1999. Skye also co-edited Dear Princess magazine.