If I Can Just...

T

he 30-minute timeslot between 4:00 and 4:30 was sacrosanct!  Every day after school I’d run home, grab a snack, and start my homework, all before 4:00.  I kept a watchful eye on the clock, desperately working to finish all my assignments before the hour struck four bells! No matter what I was doing, no matter what was going on around me, at 4:00 all activity ceased and I settled down in front of the television to watch one of my favorite shows.

The show began with flashbacks to the previous episode in order to bring those unfortunate few who missed the program up to speed. After a few minutes of reviewing the storyline, the familiar theme music began playing.  Anyone listening to the television would have known what show I was watching, especially when the background vocals got to the main character’s name, “Batman! Da da da da da da da da Batman!” 

Yes, that’s right friends; Batman was one of my all time favorite shows.  Adam West and Burt Ward played the Dynamic Duo and I watched them religiously every day.  I especially enjoyed the way the producers left the Caped Crusader and the Boy Wonder in dire straights at the end of each episode.  I was always left hanging, wondering if the masked crime fighters would be able to escape the clutches of death in order to continue their campaign against crime.

The answer to my question was always a resounding yes, as each time Batman and Robin succeeded in escaping and foiling the dastardly plans of such villains as the Joker, the Riddler, Cat Woman, Egghead, and the Penguin.  The duo always escaped by virtue of the wonderful toys tucked neatly away in their utility belts.  Just before their miraculous, last-minute escapes, Batman would always say, “If I can just reach….in my utility belt” He would name some gadget, find it in the nick of time, and spring the two heroes from the clutches of death.  By this time I would be breathless, hoping against hope Batman and Robin would be able to escape and defeat the criminals.  I was never disappointed

Would it surprise you to know that long before Batman was beamed into my living room, a very prominent Bible character was already living by the “If I can just…” philosophy of life?  Well, it’s true and his name is Abraham.

A brief flashback to the previous episodes reminds us that Abraham had a son named Ishmael.  Since his wife Sarah could not have children, she gave her servant, Hagar, to Abraham in order to produce children for her.  This was not God’s plan for Abraham.  God told Abraham he would provide him with a son, but Abraham and Sarah tried to do things their own way, creating a difficult situation to face later in life.

Genesis 17:18 records Abraham’s conversation with God concerning the promise of a child, “And Abraham said to God, "If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!"  Do you see the “If I can just…” portion of this passage?  Do you hear the desperation in Abraham’s voice and the longing in his heart for God’s promise to be fulfilled?  Abraham was 75 when God promised him he would have a son.  He is now is in his 80’s and still there has been no evidence of God’s fulfilling the promise He made. So, Abraham says, “If I can just have the promise through Ishmael, everything will be all right!”  But God did not want to fulfill the promise through Ishmael but through Isaac, who would be born when Abraham was 100 years old.

We have all been in Abraham’s shoes.  We read the Scriptures and claim the promises God has for us.  However, we grow impatient, we believe we know how God will fulfill this promise, and we take steps to bring about the answer to our request.  That’s when we get into trouble.  We get ourselves into a bind and our impatience and frustration cause us to adopt the if-I-can-just philosophy of life.  However, if we can just remain faithful, if we can just remain patient, and if we can just trust God, then we will find that His promises come true!  God is always faithful to fulfill His word to us, even when it seems He has forgotten all about us.

Today, when you find yourself in a difficult set of circumstances, when it feels as if you are trapped, and when you believe God has no idea of where you are, remember Abraham.  God will take care of you. He will fulfill His promises to you.  He will provide your every need if you just believe, trust, and obey Him today!