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But you did laugh (Genesis 18:15)
We are told in the New Testament that all who
believe with the faith of Abraham are Abraham's children and heirs of
the promises made to Abraham (Romans 5). How often we have the faith
rather of Sarah. You will recall that the LORD met with Abraham:
"Where is your wife Sarah?" they asked him. There,
in the tent," he said. Then the LORD said, "I will surely return to you
about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son." Now Sarah
was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham
and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past
the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After
I am worn out and my master is old, will I now 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
he said, "Yes, you did laugh." (Genesis 18)
Is anything too hard for the LORD? It seems that often we think there
might be some things beyond even God. Like Sarah, we consider our circumstances
and think God as bound by them as we are. Now I am not one of those
people who believe we can simply, by positive confession, change our
circumstances, although I have a lot of time for positive thinking.
We are subject to circumstances as much as anyone else and we delude
ourselves if we think that being a Christian is some sort of magical
protection against life's ills. Indeed, being a Christian brings troubles
of its own, Jesus made this much clear when he declared, "In
this world you will have trouble" (John
16:33). How wonderful, however, are his next words, "But
take heart! (Do not fear) I have overcome the world."
God is not subject to creation, nor his Son to life's circumstances.
Rather, God is LORD of all creation but, like Sarah, our circumstances
can seem overwhelming and our faith so small that there seems no way
out, no way over, no way through.
Is anything too hard for the LORD? Here are some lessons we can draw
from the story of Sarah for those times when, like Sarah, we see only
the circumstances and not the one who has overcome the world.
· God
knows our very hearts and when we doubt he knows it. It is no good pretending
we don't laugh that wry and bitter laugh when our faith is small and
the world is big. Rather, we should confess the smallness of our faith
and pray "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief" (Mark 9:26)
· What faith we have should be directed to the God who made the world
and who will, one day, judge the world. Experience teaches us that life
is so transient and circumstances do change simply in the natural course
of life. But we have a God who changes circumstances to suit and fulfil
his purposes. What has he promised you?
· God's promises are sure and do not depend on how much we trust them
but on the character of him who makes them. Our faith does not make
things happen but, rather, includes us in the plans of the one who makes
things happen and who works in and through us as he faithfully keeps
his promises.
Is anything too hard for the LORD? May we find this week that nothing
is too hard for the LORD and his promises are true.