Nothing Can Stop the Promises of God

“…So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought. ‘After I am worn out and my master is old, will I have this pleasure? Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, ‘I did not laugh.’ But God said, “Yes you did laugh.”

~Genesis 18:12-15

 

 

I am 47. My legs are stiff when I get out of bed. My back aches as I type this post; I’m trying not to slouch. I remember the shock I experienced when body parts started falling apart in the fourth decade of my life, not the fifth as I expected. I can’t imagine having a baby at this age.

Sarah was O-L-D. She was 90 and Abraham 100 when the Angel of the Lord brought this news.  I bet her legs were really stiff when she got out of bed. At 90 she probably slouched a lot. Maybe her back hurt too. Think about what kind of shape Abraham was in. There was no modern medicine to aid the function of his body. This baby’s conception and birth was nothing short of a miracle.

Even Abraham laughed when God told him Sarah would have a son (Genesis 17:17).

I love the fact that they both laughed. They could’ve been angry at God for taking so long. But rather than anger, their laughter revealed joyful amazement and hints of disbelief.

Jesus often spoke of faith. He healed those who came to Him in faith. He healed one man and forgave him of his sins simply because of his friends’ faith as they lowered him down through a hole in the roof (Mark 2:5).

The author of Hebrews wrote, “And without faith it is impossible to please God…” (11:6).

But God grants us grace even in our faithless moments.

Abraham and Sarah experienced doubt. They tried to take matters into their own hands by arranging to have a son through Hagar, Sarah’s maid. That was a mess. Their faith was not perfect.

But despite their lack of faith, laughter, and lies (Sarah lied to God in the verse above) God still fulfilled His promise.

This gives me much hope.

Some days my faith is stronger than other days. Sometimes I try to take matters in my own hands because it seems like the right thing to do. But it never is. And some days I throw my hands up and laugh because what I believe He’s promised in my life seems ridiculous. God usually laughs with me. He has a great sense of humor.

But the bottom line, the greatest promise found in this story of Abraham and Sarah is that when God promises something, you can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it will come to pass.

Our lack of faith can’t stop His promises.

 

Much grace,

andy

 

What has God promised you? Does it seem impossible?

“…if we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.”

~ 2 Timothy 2:13

 

 

Suggested daily Scripture to lead you into His Presence.

Grab a pen and spiral notebook or favorite journal. Light a candle and pour a cup of coffee or tea. Take a deep breath, slowly exhale, and ask the Holy Spirit to speak through His Word. Write the verses in your journal and then write down what you are hearing. Leave a comment on this blog, my Facebook page, or tweet me @wordsbyandylee to share what God is saying and doing in your life. Remember, your comments encourage others. I’m one of those others. (smile)

 

Tuesday: Genesis 21:1-7

Wednesday: Romans 8:28

Thursday: Psalm 92:1-5

Friday: John 3:16

Saturday: Luke 18:27

Sunday: Luke 1:36-37

Monday: Read the week’s verses again. Which encourages you the most?