Charles Stanley Daily Devotional 1 February 2026 (In Touch) Sunday Message
Charles Stanley Daily Devotional TOPIC: Abraham’s Lesson on Obedience
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 16:1-16
The Old Testament gives us the account of Abraham’s life. He had a special relationship with God, but his faith was not perfect. Over the years, he came to understand the cost of disobedience, learning the hard way that manipulating circumstances can bring heartache.
For example, God promised that Abraham and Sarah would have a child, but they were still waiting for that blessing when they were elderly. Already in her 70s, Sarah suggested that Abraham produce an heir by having a child with her servant Hagar. The result was jealousy, family strife, and conflict with long-lasting repercussions.
Obedience will bring the Lord’s best, but it sometimes requires waiting on Him. Abraham was an old man when God promised him descendants as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). This would not be fulfilled until he was 100 and Sarah was well past childbearing age, which meant that the glory for Isaac’s miraculous conception and birth was the Lord’s alone (Genesis 21:1-7).
One reason the Father has given us His Word is so that we might learn from the saints. Abraham’s life teaches us that obedience is essential. When we choose to trust our sovereign God and yield to His timing, we discover firsthand how faithful He is.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Leviticus 8-10
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: If we trust our sovereign Lord and wait for His timing, we will see His faithfulness revealed.
Dr. Charles F. Stanley was the founder of In Touch Ministries and a New York Times best-selling author. Throughout his ministry, he demonstrated a keen awareness of people’s needs and provided Christ-centered biblically based principles for everyday life.